Download Article
Download Article
Skipping rocks is a fun outdoor pastime that you can do without any special equipment. In order to bounce off the surface of the water, you need to find a smooth, flat rock and quickly flick your wrist forward. After a little bit of practice, you'll be able to skip rocks like a pro!
Steps
-
Go to a large body of water when the weather is calm. Visit a pond or lake at a time when there are no waves. In order for your rock to skip, the water needs to be flat and calm. Try to find an area with rocky shore so you have a better chance of finding a stone you can skip. [1] X Research source
- Oceans aren't the best locations to skip rocks unless it's a very calm day.
-
Look for a flat, smooth stone near the water. Try to find rocks that easily fit in your palm and weigh less than a tennis ball. The thinner the rocks are, the easier they will bounce across the surface of the water. Keep looking for rocks until you collect 10 or more so you don't have to look for new ones after each throw. [2] X Research source
- Bring rocks that you find around your home if you're worried about looking for rocks near the water.
- Experiment with different thicknesses and weights to see what kind of rock works best for you.
Tip: Opt for a triangular stone if you can find one. Flat triangular rocks are more stable than perfectly round rocks. [3] X Research source
Advertisement -
Hold the stone between your thumb and middle finger. Clench the middle finger, ring finger, and pinkie on your dominant hand so you're making a partial fist. Set the rock on top of your middle finger and hold it firmly in place with thumb.
-
Hook your index finger around the edge of the rock. Firmly wrap your index finger around the rock. Your index finger adds spin to the rock once you throw it to help it skip across the water's surface. [4] X Research source- Make sure your thumb is on top of the rock rather that wrapped around it.
Advertisement
-
Face the water at a slight angle with your arm low to the ground. Stand with your non-dominant arm facing the water so your body is at a 15-degree angle. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent. Extend your dominant arm at your side and hold the rock parallel to the ground. [5] X Research source
-
Bring your arm and wrist behind you. Move your arm so it's behind your body, still keeping the rock parallel to the ground. Make sure your chest and shoulders are still facing the water. Bend your wrist backward so it's at a 90-degree angle to your arm. [6] X Research source
- Take your time with the backswing and follow through the first time you try skipping rocks. Over time, you'll be able to skip rocks in one fluid motion.
-
Throw your arm out in front of you and release the rock when it's in front of your body. Bend your knees as you move your dominant arm in front of your body. Flick your wrist at the end of your throw and let go of the rock so it spins off your index finger and lands parallel to the water. The spinning will help the rock bounce off the water's surface so it skips multiple times. [7] X Research source
- Rocks skip across the water because they form a cavity when they first impact the surface. The flat bottom of the rock rides along the angle of the cavity, sending it airborne again so it can skip. [8] X Research source
- Don't try and throw hard. Instead, try to throw your arm quickly.
- If your rock doesn't skip the first time you try, take your time to readjust your form and try again. Practice makes perfect!
Tip: Try shifting your weight onto your back foot on your backswing, and then back to your front foot when you throw the rock. This can add more power to your throw, similar to a baseball pitch.
Advertisement
Community Q&A
Search
-
QuestionAre we supposed to spin the stone while throwing?Community AnswerYes. It should have a good horizontal spin so it can skip across the water. Try letting it spin off your index finger when throwing.
-
QuestionWould it be possible to use large, flat clamshells?VampireyukiCommunity AnswerYou can use anything as long as it has a similar shape and weight, but then it wouldn't be skipping rocks. It'd be skipping clamshells.
-
QuestionWhat is the best kind of rock to skip?Community AnswerSmooth, flat rocks or rocks with a small grip.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Video
Tips
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Warnings
- Don't intentionally throw rocks at people or wildlife.Thanks
Advertisement
References
- ↑ https://boyslife.org/hobbies-projects/funstuff/9298/how-to-skip-rocks/
- ↑ https://boyslife.org/hobbies-projects/funstuff/9298/how-to-skip-rocks/
- ↑ http://kabubble.com/games_classic_skip_rocks.htm
- ↑ https://boyslife.org/hobbies-projects/funstuff/9298/how-to-skip-rocks/
- ↑ https://boyslife.org/hobbies-projects/funstuff/9298/how-to-skip-rocks/
- ↑ https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2015/04/20/things-guys-know-vol-4-skip-rocks/
- ↑ https://boyslife.org/hobbies-projects/funstuff/9298/how-to-skip-rocks/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/Ik64mtXYWxA?t=57
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To skip rocks, start by finding flat, smooth stones you can throw. Once you've found some stones, hold one between your thumb and middle finger and hook your index finger around the edge of it. Then, face a body of water with your knees bent and your dominant arm low to the ground. When you're ready, bring your arm and wrist back and throw your arm out in front of you, flicking your wrist as you let go of the rock. Make sure you keep the rock parallel to the ground as you throw it. To learn how to choose the best rocks for skipping, read on!
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 322,635 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "I knew how but I needed to try a new technique to skip rocks on a river. It worked. "
Advertisement
82%
of readers found this article helpful
.
Click a star to add your vote
% of people told us that this article helped them.
"I knew how but I needed to try a new technique to skip rocks on a river. It worked. "
"I skipped rocks after reading this!"
