To learn everything which you need to know about skipping stones, simply continue reading to discover a guide to skipping stones.
What are skipping stones?
Skipping stones are essentially carefully shaped stones, which can be skimmed across water. The goal in a game of skipping stones is usually to see how many times your skipping stone can hop across an expanse of water such as a pond, the sea or a lake. Chances are that you’ve tried to skip stones as a child, with one of your parents as skipping stones is a popular past time in most countries around the world.
As an example in the UK playing skipping stones is called playing ducks and drakes whilst in Denmark the same game is referred to as smutting.
What do skipping stones normally look like?
Skipping stones are traditionally flat and wide, which allows them to easily skip across the water. While you can purchase aerodynamic skipping stones, in the past you’d have to search hard in order to find a skipping stone which would be able to make more than 2 jumps across the water.
Did you know that skipping stones is a competitive sport:
Contrary to popular belief children aren’t the only individuals who’ll find trying to skip rocks. In fact, there are now a variety of professional skipping stones competitions around the world, which attract fierce competitors who are keen to win large cash prizes.
One example of an elite skipping stones tournament which is held annually is the Rock and River Festival, which is located in Pittsburg and regularly attracts elite competitors. While some individuals may be skeptical about the legitimacy of skipping stones being referred to as a sport, skipping stones involves skill and talent just like other sports such as golf, tennis, and football.
As well as featuring hotly contested elite divisions, most professionally organized skipping stone tournaments also feature amateur divisions which give interested individuals who have no experience competing in skipping stone tournaments a chance to compete against other amateurs.
What is the Guinness Book of Records for skipping a stone over water:
The current record is held for a single throw which successfully skipped a stone 51 times over water. Which is a record which will be extremely hard to beat and should stand to last for a few more years.
How to skip stones:
If you’re interested in trying to skip stones yourself, refer to the following tips in order to learn how to skip stones effectively.
1. Make sure that you have a flat water surface
The calmer the water you find the better.
2. Carefully select a skipping stone
Ideally, a skipping stone should be flat and wide and should be roughly the size of your palm.
3. Place your index finger along one side of your rock
Make sure that your thumb is placed on the other side of your rock.
4. Face the water, side on with your feet shoulder width apart
Also, make sure that you bend your knees slightly.
5. Bend your wrist forward before snapping it forward to throw your stone across the water in front of you.
Hopefully, after reading the above guide to skipping stones, you now have a more in depth understanding of skipping stones.
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