Tipperary stonethrower bounces his way to world title in Scotland

Which of us, when walking alongside a smooth, calm body of water such as the sea, a river or lake, hasn’t picked up a nice, flat stone and skimmed it across the surface of the water?

Simon Power certainly has, and to a very high level at that, after he was recently crowned the Adult World Stone Skimming Champion in Scotland earlier this month.

He beat off stiff competition to become the first Irish person to win the title in an event that attracted 350 “skimmers” to Easdale Island, one of the Inner Hebrides, near Oban in Argyll, Scotland.

“I went over just to take part, I had no expectations but was delighted to win,” says Simon, a special needs assistant at Ss Peter and Paul’s primary school in Clonmel.

Over 1,000 spectators gathered to watch the championships, which double up as a fundraiser for local community projects. They attracted competitors from all over the world including New Zealand, Japan, United States and Great Britain.

The championships began in 1983. They were discontinued for a time before being resurrected in 1997 by Eilean Eisdeal, the Easdale Island Community Development Group.

Competitors have to use the island’s stones, naturally-formed Easdale slate, which must be no bigger than three inches in diameter at their widest point. The stone must bounce on the surface of the water at least twice before being considered a valid skim. The event is held in a rectangular quarry pool and in order to progress in the competition throwers must hit the back wall, which is 63 metres away from their throwing position.

Both feet must be on the platform when throwing and stones have to be thrown within barriers.

After a series of heats, this year’s adult final went to sudden death, when Simon and England’s Fred Savage had one throw each before Simon was declared the winner.

Above: Simon Power and his fiancée Muireann Carroll at the event in Scotland earlier this month 

32-year-old Simon, who is originally from Griffith Avenue in Clonmel, now lives on the Mountain Road. He was accompanied on the trip to Scotland by his fiancée, Muireann Carroll, the couple completing a hike of Ben Lomond mountain during their stay.

Earlier this year he had applied to take part in the event on the championships website, with all 350 places being snapped up within 20 minutes.

“Stone skimming just shows that there’s an activity out there for everyone,” he says.

“You spend so much time searching for stones that it’s almost like a meditation. You’re in the moment the whole time, and you’re not on your phone.

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“As a child and an adult I always skimmed stones, and I did a Google search to see if there was any competition”.

His prizes for winning the world event included a lifetime subscription to the Hiker app as well as sports equipment, local whisky and gin, a trophy and a medal.

Having finished in the top fifteen, Simon has been invited back to defend his title next year.

A video of this year’s championship is available on YouTube, @simonpower6591.