UnsplashThe world stone skimming championships have been hit by a cheating storm after some competitors were found to be using “suspiciously circular” stones.
Skipping stones is something that everybody is tried at some point. However, only the best of the best – and not those who see their stone sink after one hop – can attend the world championships.
However, the 2025 championships have been hit by controversy. As per the BBC, a number of the 2,200 competitors were found to be using “suspiciously circular” stones that would better bounce across the water.
According to the rules, stones must come from naturally occurring island slate and fit through a device called the “ring of truth” to ensure they are of the right size – which is no bigger than three inches in diameter.
“Stone doctoring” hits world stone skimming championship
The championships organizer, Dr Kyle Mathews, told BBC News that the offenders had “held their hands up” and ultimately apologised for cheating.
“There was a little bit of stone doctoring,” he told BBC Radio’s Good Morning Scotland.
“They had shaped it so that it was perfectly circular and fitted our three inch measurer. As it’s a piece of metal, I don’t think we can blame it too much. The problem was we didn’t just notice at the time that they were suspiciously circular.”
The event was ultimately won by an American, Jonathan Jennings, who managed to skim his stones for a total of 177m.
It is held annually to raise money for local causes, including several community projects and charities.
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The organizers added that they will “move on to an even greater event next year,” despite this year’s cheating.