How do you cheat at stone skimming? World championships 'rocked by scandal'

For most of us, skimming stones - the art of throwing a flat stone across water so that it bounces off the surface, is just a fun diversion.

But in Scotland, where the annual World Stone Skimming Championships (WSSC) take place on Easdale Island, it is taken very seriously indeed.

The 2025 event saw several competitors disqualified for tampering with the stones they used.

Organisers pointed out that their rules clearly state 'competitors must use naturally formed Easdale slate'.

They thanked the competitors and volunteers who brought concerns to their attention.

Participants traditionally select their own skimming stones, an activity described as one of the highlights of the competition that's enjoyed by many.

"If we are aware of future stone doctoring  we will again have no hesitation in disqualifying the competitors in question and we will be forced to insist all skimmers use stones pre-selected by the WSSC organisers." 

Organisers - World Stone Skimming Championships

Top honours this year went to Jon Jennings from the US in the men's contest and now six-time female champion Lucy Wood from South Yorkshire, England.

The Championships draw around 2,000 visitors every year, including hundreds of would-be winners.