Author's Note

From the book - The SECRETS of Stone Skipping
by Jerdone

In all likelihood, human beings have picked up flat stones and hurled them bouncing across the top of the water since the very beginning of time. Stone skipping is an instinctive human physical activity and this compulsion to challenge gravity, at least momentarily, by making a little stone walk across the waters must have deep roots in our consciousness.
There is no origin for stone skipping. No single human -invented- this activity. Stone skipping is natural and universal. Generally, stone skipping technique is passed from grandparent or parent to child in a simple and unceremonious tradition.
Isolate any human on a beach of flat stones and before long stones will be flying high in the air and -kaplooping- into the water with a neat sound, a high splash, and the beautiful concentric rings flowing out from the point of impact. Then, without fail, you will begin to see stones flying out parallel to the water, ricocheting off the surface until stopping and gently sinking into the depths.
The childlike joy and broad smiles shared by all who skip stones does not require explanation or interpretation. All who skip stones will have a significant positive emotional and physical experience. For this reason alone, stone skipping survives as a recreational activity passed down from generation to generation from time immemorial.
Twenty-four hours a day, somewhere on some shoreline in the endless daylight and good weather on this planet, somebody is bending over and selecting a good flat skipping stone and then letting it fly over the water. If there are flat stones and some water nearby anyone can participate at any time - compliments of Mother Nature.
Imagine, a genuine healthy recreational activity and sport that does not require bats, balls, helmets, spikes, mitts, skates, clubs, nets, running shoes or any other object or playing field besides what Nature herself supplies.
The secrets in this book open a new dimension to the stone skipping enthusiast. Since stone skipping is a recreational activity and proficiency is a not necessity for modern day survival, this new dimension is the natural evolution and extension of modern day human recreation and play. This book is about -shooting the curl-, -gleaming the cube-, and stated simply, pushing the envelope of natural and normal human endeavor and achievement to higher limits.
The SECRETS of Stone Skipping, is a guidebook for those not satisfied with natural and normal performance. In this book, I describe in detail, aided by illustrations and photos, all the little secrets that I have learned by trial and error, and through years of observant practice. Now you will be able to use these tips to have even more fun at the shore. Many of these SECRETS will immediately improve your stone skipping performance, some will take some practice to master.
No matter what your level of ability, or if you are simply curious about some interesting facts and stories about skipping stones, this book should be interesting, enlightening, increase your knowledge, and improve your form and performance. Everything you need to know (and then some) to be a World Champion stone skipper is within the pages of this book in your hands.

Read it and practice, practice, practice.
The purpose of this book is to add to your joy of sending those flat stones flying out over the water, to bring you a smile, and to warm your heart. Enjoy......!

Jerdone
Guinness World Stone Skipping Recordholder
1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996
©1995, Jerdone
all rights reserved - note: I do not have a problem with you copying this text. Just let me know your intentions, please. If it is part of a printed article, etc., a copy of final product would be appreciated. Thank you.
Incidentally, if any of you reading this come across a book or article about stone skipping or mentioning stone skipping, I would be very grateful if you would either send me a copy, or e-mail me the reference and where I might find it myself. Ancient references would be especially appreciated, plus any foreign language text (other than English). Also, any information that would demonstrate or suggest that the practice of stone skipping was or is used for ANY purpose other than recreation.
thanks
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