Fame is just a stone’s throw away as skimming experts go for world record
Stone skimmers from across the globe are hoping to get a spot in the history books this year as they embark on two world record attempts.
A lake in Powys will host the attempt to set a completely new Guinness record for the furthest stone skimming distance by a female and topple the existing record for the furthest ever stone skimming distance, set at an impressive 107.4 metres in 2016 by Scotsman Dougie Isaacs.
Two Shropshire stone skimmers, Heather Ashton, the current British women’s Seniors champion, and Gary Bailey will take part in the event at Abernant Lake, Llanwrtyd Wells on May 28.
They will line up against names including current women’s World champion Nina Luginbuhl of Switzerland, previous World and European champion Lucy Wood from Sheffield, current British women’s champion Charlotte Greenway from Manchester, and All England women’s champion Barbara Maher from Lancaster.
Event organiser and a previous European champion Paul Crabtree said the event was set to be one of the best.
He said: “Stone skimming is always very weather dependant, as even the slightest breeze can have a big impact on results, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the women’s record falls into the 50-70 metre bracket.
“Either way, it’s sure to be a fantastic event with this entirely new world record being set and we are excited about that.”
Challenging for the men's record include the World Record holder for the highest number of ‘skips’ in skimming, Kurt Steiner, who will be travelling from the USA. One youngster lining up is 16-year- old Ben Hooper from Devon.
Bounce
Each thrower will get 25 attempts to throw for the record with a skim having to bounce at least three times to count as a valid throw. Only natural unmodified stones may be used.
Two spots for the record attempts have been reserved as open ‘wildcard’ entries available to the best skimmer in the Welsh Open competition taking place at the same location the day before,” said Paul.
He added: “If anyone fancies a crack at a world record we’d love them to come along and battle it out for the two world record squad slots.”
The skimming teams will also be welcoming spectators who want to come along on to watch the world-record attempts in person.
“Entry is free and anyone is welcome,” Paul said. “Spectators will witness some incredible long-range stone skimming from some of the best stone skimmers in the world.”
