Tarring once paid Isaacs to train him in Blairgowrie, Perthshire, where Isaacs practises on the River Ericht. Easdale Island is a tiny little island (population: 62) that was once the heart of the Scottish slate mining industry. “The organisers aren’t bothered about changing the rules because they make tons of money out of this regardless,” he says. Sat 11 Aug 2012 Atlantic Adventure Day - The Whisky River Boat Band. Easdale Island is the smallest permanently inhabited island of the Inner Hebrides. It’s frustrating to be bad at something that seems so simple. “Most people come to an island like this for peace and quiet,” says Ruth Barratt, who is trying to sell the B&B she runs. Easdale Island was once the centre of a thriving Scottish slate mining industry, so it is only fitting that one of the disused quarries forms a perfect arena for the World Stone Skimming Championships. Fri 03 Aug 2012 Red Shadows - recent works by Ghalia Asaid. The World Stone Skimming Championship is held every year on the last Sunday in September on the beautiful island of Easdale near Oban.
They also used force plates to examine her weight distribution and high-speed video to record her skims.
Were they to move, they might no longer be the eccentric spectacle they are now. “If you can get it so the stone lands flat on the water, you’ll do OK.”. PA34 4TB Since 1997, competitors from all over the world have taken part in the World Stone Skimming Championships in a disused quarry on Easdale Island using sea-worn Easdale slate of maximum 3" diameter. “It’s slightly spiritual up here,” says Tarring, looking around the island. Sat 22 Sep 2012 Pre-World Stone Skimming Championships Bash - The Hazey Janes. Situated in the Firth of Lorn, about 15 miles south of Oban, Argyll, it covers an area of less than 10 hectares but has a permanent population of about 60, plus a similar number who own residential property and visit regularly. See the lowlands through the eyes of one of Scotland’s most celebrated poets, exploring old port towns and ancient fortresses, sipping single malt whisky, and wandering the breathtaking landscapes that inspired the beloved bard. The island is so small that only a few hundred people can watch at a time. Easdale recovered from this loss and now has a thriving tourist industry. Anyone of any age and any level of skill can enter. “Although we appreciate the income, it’s not something we enjoy.”, Her partner, Dughall Macleod, tells me about one of the young pretenders to the stone throne – Alex Lewis, 22, who beat Isaacs in July to become the current English champion. WHERE: Easdale Island Community HallWHEN: 10.00am until 1.00pm on the day, OR until we reach a total of 350 entrants. That leaves plenty of time to practice for your chance to become a World Champion next year! Features of previous Championships have included: craft and bric-a-brac stalls My interest was piqued by an online clip of an exuberant Japanese skimmer called Keisuke Hashimoto – the winner in 2017. But the popularity of the competition is surely linked inextricably to the island and its geography. This is a great thing.”. “That was the toughest final,” Lewis says.
Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. This turns out to be Peter Szep, the defending champion. He recently wore a T-shirt to a skimming event that, by chance, had a photo of a chalet on it. The population dropped to four. Winner will be selected at random on 10/01/2020.
Long’s skim is controversial though, according to Lewis, who claims it didn’t touch the wall. For a skim to qualify the stone must bounce at least three times - it is then judged on the distance achieved before it sinks.
It was a bastion of the British slate industry until 1850, when a vast storm struck, flooding the quarries and devastating the island. “You get a relatively flat stone that’s got a hook in it, that you can get your finger into, then when you release, you get spin,” he adds.
Winning the championship is no easy feat, as competitors must follow a set of strict rules.
We have to restrict the maximum number of entrants to 350. And when skimmers skim, they must keep the stone within a designated lane and only throw a maximum of 63 metres – the distance to the back wall at the end of the flooded quarry. 2 Aim to throw it at 20 degrees to the horizontal. I do hope that you will understand the reasoning and logic behind our decision and that we will be able to welcome you back safely and happily in 2021. All rights reserved. Click the find out more button to learn more. stilt walker Press interest in the the World Stone Skimming Championships is increasing every year, and the event has been covered by the following: Oban Times, The Independent, The Scotsman, The Times & The Sunday Times, The Glasgow Herald, The Daily Record, The Daily Mail, The Sun and The Drogheda Independent. He says there’s nothing to do but try your best. Later that day, I head to Easdale. Follow us on our social media channels for our latest updates.