Stone Skipping raises $1000 for Mackinac Island Hospice

Left to right is Sally Smeelink, Patti Smeelink, Nicole Lange, and Jaclyn Lewis.

The T-Shirt gals once again raised $1000.00 which was donated to the Mackinac Island Community Foundation earmarked for the island Hospice. 

 

Curtesy,

Patti Smeelink

126 Stones+twenty men + 1 woman = fun-filled afternoon

126 stones, twenty men and one woman may not sound like a fun-filled
family afternoon in some parts of the world, but in Franklin, PA it
simply meant it was time for the annual state stone skipping
tournament. Competitors from as far away as The Great White North,
New York City, California, Kansas, and Michigan (including former
World Record Holder John “Skippy” Kolar) assembled to take

Rock in River Festival 2009

Grant Mitchell 2009 Winner

In a stunning upset, Wichita, Kansas resident Grant Mitchell walked away with the Pennsylvania State Title Saturday at Riverfront Park. A medical student at Penn University, Mitchell himself was stunned to have taken the trophy away from long-time winner Russ Byars. “I had been wanting to compete in this tournament for awhile,” Mitchell said. “I had just arrived in Philadelphia late in the week to get ready for fall classes, and I had partied quite late Friday night. I woke up at 9:30 Saturday morning and knew I had to make a choice: roll over and go back to sleep, or hop in the car and drive as fast as I can to make the cross-state trip to Franklin in time to do the tournament.” Mitchell arrived just 5 minutes before the start of the pro competition and just barely made the registration deadline. During the course of the 6-round competition, his single-digit skips impressed no one. He had been written off as some hotshot who had no business skipping with the big dogs. But on his 6th and final skip, Mitchell fired off a stunning 42-skip throw that had the crowd of several hundred fans gasping in disbelief. Click here for 2009 River Rock Festival Photo Gallery.

Prior to Mitchell’s final toss, Russ Byars himself had nearly clinched the title with a solid 39, thought by many to be untouchable. But Scotsman Allistair Cooper, having flown in from California and skipping in his now-trademark kilt, was nipping at Byars’ heels with a respectable 38. Conditions for the 2009 event were somewhat challenging, as record-high river levels made it impossible for the competitors to skip at water level. Instead, they were forced to throw from higher up on the grassy bank, which was slick from mud created by several days of hard rain. Click here for official results.

Event organizers knew 2009 would prove to be a hotly-contested tournament, as ESPN and CBS News film crews were present to cover the story. A sizable contingent from the Mackinac Island Stone Skipping & Gerplunking Club, the sanctioning body for stone skipping, was on-hand, with two competitors of their own. Eric Steiner, “The Voice” of Mackinac stone skipping, provided color commentary for this year’s Franklin event. CBS’ own Bill Geist competed as a celebrity pro skipper.

The Rock In River Festival is the newest Franklin festival, overlooking the confluence of French Creek and the Allegheny River. This festival includes kids games, rock decorating contest, chicken barbecue, boat rides, live music featuring the Ryver Nymphs, and the fun of watching amateurs and professionals (including reigning World Champion and Guinness World Record holder Russ Byars, and  former Guinness World Record Holder Kurt Steiner) compete for the state championship of skipping stones across the water. Registration for competition begins at 11:00. Click here for directions to Riverfront Park.

Our competition is sanctioned by the Mackinac Island Stone Skipping and Gerplunking Club, who operate the nationals in Michigan each July 4. The Pennsylvania winner is entitled to compete in the prestigious “Pro Category” at Mackinac the following Independence Day.  A very elite group of professionals from around the world gather on Windermere Beach, a stone-covered beach on Lake Michigan beside ferry boat docks which connect Mackinac Island to Mackinaw City on the mainland.

Officiating the PA Qualifying Stone Skipping Tournament is High Commissioner Brian Barnett of Franklin and his team of judges.  Contestants are asked to submit a small donation ($3 a person amateur, 12 and under $1, pros $10), and although the event is a “bring your own stones” tournament, exotic skipping stones from various parts of western Pennsylvania are usually available for contestants for an additional small donation.

Courtesy – of Pennsylvania Qualifying Stone Skipping Tournament

15 young Gerplunkers contested for glory …

Colin ‘C-Man’ Lacy 2009 Gerplunking Winner

Kirby ‘Fully Loaded’ Berke Gerplunker Runner up

Henry ‘Giggles’ Piskie 1st time Gerplunking (age 3 3/4)

With clear blue sky and sparkling blue water, 15 young Gerplunkers contested for glory July 4^th on the famous Windemere Beach of Mackinac Island.

Gerplunking is an important part of the Mackinac Island Stone Skipping event as Stone Skipping is but one of the more advanced forms of Gerplunking.

Kirby “Fully Loaded” Berke and Colin “C-Man” Lacy tied for first place with a 8.9 overall average score after the required 5 plunks.  After all competition had ended, the tie score required a  “Plunk-off” to determine the winner.

During the “Plunk-off” stones were tossed one-at-a-time, alternating between the contestants.  After calculating the totals, a scant .38 difference proved Colin “C-Man” Lacy the winner, and allowed him to claim top honors.

 The award was a necklace created from a Mackinac Island Beach Stone that had developed a natural hole.  It was secured to an attractive lanyard by means of a silver band.

Congratulations to all of these fine Plunkers:

Results of the July 4, 2009 Mackinac Island Gerplunking Contest
C-Man Lacy	Kentucky	8.9  Plunk-off winner
Fully Loaded Berke	Colorado	8.9
Luigi Dude Orf	Florida	8.8
Cannonball Dara	Michigan	8.6
Giggles Piskie	Michigan	8.6
A-Man Hauser	Michigan	8.0
Bumper Berke	Montana	7.9
Izzy Lacy	Kentucky	7.6
George Stewart	Michigan	7.6
Nate the Great Felix	Indiana	7.5
E.V. Kolinski	Michigan	7.4
Peanut Lynch	Illinois	7.2
Lilly Felix	Indiana	6.9
E. Chance	Michigan	6.7
L.B. Pickering	Cayman Islands	6.3

Judging, Stats and Report Courtesy of ,

Doc Crain

Another great day at the beach – July 4th, 2009

 

 

The offical 4oth Stone Skipping event has come and gone but the memories linger on. The weather was fantastic with clear blue skies 70 degree temperatures and a slight breeze.  The water was cold and the skippers were hot.

Highlights:

Rubbing elbows with a legend.

• Gerplunking had its first ‘Plunk off’.  Doc is reviewing beach photos to verify the winner and will post his findings soon.
• Brotherly Rivalry cost one brother dinner for 20 at the Grand. Two brothers, one from Illinois, one from Michigan needed to break a 15 skip tie with a one stone skip off.  The boy from Illinois skipped a meager 3 yet his brother, complaining about wave conditions, only manged to skip a paltry 2. Who says sibling rivalry doesn’t pay?

• Everyone on beach enjoyed seeing the Governor and her family participating in the fun.

• The amateur division had a number of international competitors.  A mystery man from the Netherlands led the competition with an impressive 23 until a kilt wearing scott skipped 23 twice to take the coveted Little David trophy.  It was a tough decision for amateur winner Alistair Cooper on whether to take the fudge prize or compete with the pros. In hindsight the fudge might have been a better decision.  Alistair vowed to return in 2010 as long as his commitments as a professional calendar model permit.
  

  Skipping with Passion

• The pros demonstrated they were pros with all competitors skipping at least 21, two skips of 26, two skips of 24 and two skips of 23.  Nate ‘Dogg’ Rango, last years open winner proved that today’s youth is prepared to take on the old school veterans.  He  was in second place with 26. Hard Luck Loy is looking for his fans to suggest a new and improved handle for 2010. In the end it was Russ ‘Rock Bottom’ Byars taking the lead with a solid skip of 28.
• There were several requests to have the Stone Skipping shirts available year round. The T-Shirt shady is looking into providing an email address or web page for folks to buy shirts online.
• Michael ‘Chompers’ Steiner had to leave immediately following the tournament to skip on the pond in front of one of the Vegas casinos on July 5th. (Mike we need an update)

If you have any other first, second or third hand information to share about this years event please click on ‘comments’ or ‘leave a comment’  to add your 2 cents.

As always photos are welcome and can be sent to photos@stoneskipping.com (if not too big).

Russ ‘Rock Bottom’ Byars – Sighted on annual MISS&GC Pilgrimage

Skips Stones for Fudge

Russ ‘Rock Bottom’ Byars Sighting – Russ has been spotted in Ohio on his 2000 mile pilgrimage from Pennsylvania to Mackinac.  His famous “Skip stones for fudge” shirt quickly identified him as the Guiness World Record holder (i.e. 51 skips). He has been seen carrying 2 large buckets along his route. Although the buckets were covered they are suspected to contain stones for the upcoming tournament.

So far he has had only one brush with the law. The reports indicate that after staying a local Motel 6 he tried to pay for his room with fudge he claimed was fresh from Mackinac Island. Since the proprietor was allergic to nuts and deemed his claim of ‘fresh’ a little dubious they declined his offer. When local authorities arrived on the scene the world record holder generously autographed a few stones for the men in blue and continued his trek.

It is hard to believe that Russ walks all the way from PA to MI each year but he claims that “The best skipping stones are collected along the road of life.”

If anyone else spots him along his trek please keep his raving fans up to date.

Signed,

Raving Stone Skipping Fan – Ohio USA

Stone Skipping 2009 – Come out and skip

I can hardly believe two weeks from today we will be on Windemere beach skipping stones.  Thanks to a lot of digging in the archives we have been able to verify that indeed this will be the 4oth anniversary tournament.

News from ‘Mussles’ Calleweart is that the weather is sunny, beautiful and the in 70′s this week.  Since the 4th falls on Saturday this year we are expecting a record crowd on the beach.

No news yet on how many Guiness World Record holders will be skipping this year although it is rumored that at least 3 possibly 4 will be there.

The Lost Art of Stone Skipping

As delivered by Karl Rabe at the 2009 Winter Rules Committee Meeting of the Mackinac Island Stone Skipping and Gerplunking Club

Not to dilly-dally or shilly-shally but before I begin — a few things I would like to mention…

As many of you know, in December Virginia Gillis passed away. Gini was the first female to break through the proverbial quartz ceiling when she was appointed as the High Commissioner of Stone Skipping, assuming that mantle from her late husband the Hon Judge Joseph Augustus Gillis. She blazed a trail for women in the sport. Lets raise a glass — to Gini.

I don’t think when my father formed the MISSGC he had any idea that 40 years later it would still be going strong. I am sure many people have been instrumental in that longevity but probably none more so than John Kolar with his passion and enthusiasm for the sport and Paul Toepp with his vision and promotion ability. It is gratifying to see the event continue and I am grateful to everyone involved. You are carrying on the sport in the Grand tradition.

So, on to The Lost Art of Stone Skipping! Are you stoned? Blaspheme you cry? Who is this casting stones at our venerable sport?

Lest you think I crawled out from under the Little David Trophy, let me assure you my Stone Skipping pedigree dates back to the first contest held on the beaches of Silver Birches, a stones throw from the famed Point aux Pins. Under the watchful eye of retired Commander E. M. Tellefson I was indoctrinated as Tournament Registrar. A position I held until 1971 when I advance to Steward and then ultimately in 1973 to Judge and a member, I am proud to say, of the Stone Skipping College of Jurisprudence.

So believe me when I say I don’t take lightly the term Lost Art.

Am I referring to an era gone by? A simple time? The purity of the sport when in 1932 The Commander cast his famed 17 upon the flounder flat straights?

Lost Art. Could it be the introduction of technology — the drip-dry trouser innovation of the early ‘70s that revolutionized stone skipping stances and ultimately led to the engineering of the Speedo Body Suit popularized in the 2008 Summer Olympics?

Lost Art. Is it quite literally the impact on the sport of the Unidentified Skipping Stone from the Pebbly Knoll conspiracy theory in the late ‘70s that forever transformed plain old Loy into Hard Luck Loy and burdened him, to this day, with the stigma of an asterisk?

Lost Art. Perhaps it is the unsterilized off-island stone scandal of 1988 that despite rumors has never been linked to the zebra muscle infestation of the Great Lakes?

Lost Art. Maybe it is the Swedish and Danish invasions of the sport which I am disgusted to say exposed our youngest skippers to SMUT?

Lost Art. Could it be the rumors out of Edinburgh Scotland of attempts with genetic engineering to create a Super Skipper, in the hopes that the pitter-patter of little feet would lead to many pitty-pats and larger feats?

Lost Art. Maybe it is the recent successful cover-up of the skip enhancing anabolic steroid use by Russian skippers.

No! Rest easy Committee Members. Real or imagined these are not the things of which I speak.  The Lost Art of Stone Skipping to which I refer, quoting Webster, is not “skill in conducting human activity” but rather “the class of objects subject to aesthetic criteria” – the Antiques Road Show lost-in-the-attic variety is what brings me before you now so that I can see it is returned to its rightful owner.

Yes. A work of stone skip art that has graced the walls of as many Detroit Press Club North locations as it has seen dark basements and musty attics. This framed masterpiece has traveled from the DPCN in Room 113 at the Lakeview Hotel (back when it actually had a lake view), to William Backhouse Astor, then the Windsor Hotel. It has been cargo in a car, ferried on a ferry, hefted on a horse, dropped from a dray, and basketed on a bicycle.

It is the quintessential stone skipping — simultaneously representing The Golden Year and the golden age of skipping. I would now like to unveil this masterpiece and see it returned to its just owner – John Kolar.

What followed was an unveiling of a 16×24 framed black and white photo unearthed from the Rabe archives of John Kolar skipping on Windermere Pointe Beach.

2009 Winter Rules Meeting

Its official … The 2009 winter rules meeting is Sunday March 29th 4:00 pm at:

Dick O’Dows 160 W. Maple Road, Birmingham, MI (248) 642-1135
Need directions click here

Please confirm your attendance to me ASAP.

Thanks!

 John Kolar – Chairperson – M.I.S.S. & G.C.  – Cell [248] 346 – 3886 

Hello Stone Skippers!

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The High Commisioner of Stone Skipping