6th Annual John Lidbetter All-weather Stoneskimming Competition
Published 6th Sep 2005 by Admin

Competitors are being urged to think twice about attending the 6th Annual John Lidbetter All-Weather Prize International Open Stoneskimming Competition for two reasons. Firstly, this year the event falls on September 11th and there may be security concerns. More importantly, however, too many people turned up last year and the judges were knackered by the end of it.

It was started by Mr. Lidbetter originally as his 30th birthday event and has grown every year since then. ?It?s brilliant?, said John, ?It started out as a bit of a laugh for a few friends but word has spread and we get international competitors now. Everyone loves a skim but few can handle the intense heat of competition and it has become highly competitive. It?s all in the wrist, you see, and some folks kind of go floppy when it matters.? One competitor who rarely goes floppy is Stuart ?Bird? Digby, Supreme Champion in 2003 and placed third last year. He is an expert on the technical side of the sport. ?The perfect angle is 22 degrees from the water,? says Stuart. ?You have to get both the spin right and the weight of the stone. Last year it was windy and in those conditions you are going to need a heavier, flatter stone. My stone selection was poor and ultimately that cost me the chance of retaining the trophy.?

One of the important aspects of the competition is that it is an all-weather event. ?All the previous years have had dry skimming conditions,? continues John. ?Because it takes place on the sea it is never going to be perfect skimming conditions, but we are hoping for a bit of rain to sort out the pan-gender boys from the pan-gender men, so to speak. Also,? he continues, ?too many people entered last year and the judges were knackered by the end of it. Rain might keep some of the less serious competitors away.?

Some might say that the timing is unfortunate with September 11th being associated with other flying objects. ?The thing is? says John, ?we decided on the second Sunday in September. Sometimes that?s 119 and sometimes it?s me Mum?s birthday. What can you do? Of course we may have to conduct bag checks for security reasons and we would ask people not to wear bulky jackets, but otherwise I think it?s important not to let our way of life be effected too much. It?s all about retaining out tongues firmly in our cheeks.?

Standard John Lidbetter Stoneskimming rules apply.
Competitors may skim under their own names or adopt a nom de skim (previous competitors have included The Real Skim Shady, Skimmy Hendrix, and, of course, Fat Boy Skim.)
Stones can be made from any substance that does not float as long as competitors are mindful of environmental and aesthetic concerns.
No artificial spinning or jumping devices can be used.
In the event of a tie there is a skim-off. There are no random drug tests.

As well as the magnificent trophies for first, second and third place there is also a separate style prize. This has been won in previous years by a gentleman who fell into the sea and corrected himself with extraordinary grace and a woman who managed to miss the sea altogether with one of her stones.

The vibe of the competition is really badly summed up by this year?s man to beat, Current Champion, Andrew ?Slug? Slegg? ?I liked winning John?s Stoneskimming Competition because it made me look good in front of the girls. I don?t care about the taking part, I just want to win,? he says. Mmmmmmm??.tongue firmly in cheek.

Registration 1pm
Skimming starts 2pm
Event takes place Hove side of the West Pier
For more information please contact John Lidbetter : stoneskimming@gmail.com

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