1 00:00:01,588 --> 00:00:03,766 Screen text: “A Master of None Film” It started off a wee bit like a bad joke: 2 00:00:03,801 --> 00:00:06,942 Screen text: “in association with Weave Productions” a Scotsman, an Englishman, an Irishman and a Welshman were in a pub one night 3 00:00:07,277 --> 00:00:08,932 and literally the next day they decided, 4 00:00:08,967 --> 00:00:11,876 Screen text: “Donald ‘Mellon’ Melville WSS Championships Organiser” or that night they decided that they were told the competition the next day, 5 00:00:12,416 --> 00:00:15,970 and a local lad won it, and it lay fallow for 14 years 6 00:00:16,005 --> 00:00:18,911 and then we resurrected it as a fundraiser in 1997, 7 00:00:19,347 --> 00:00:21,507 and this is it's 20th consecutive year. 8 00:00:22,733 --> 00:00:25,682 Stone skimming is something that almost everyone 9 00:00:25,725 --> 00:00:27,997 has participated in at some stage in their lives. 10 00:00:28,022 --> 00:00:30,056 Skimming is a very primeval activity, 11 00:00:30,091 --> 00:00:33,014 it's something that man did when he first came out of the water. 12 00:00:33,055 --> 00:00:34,695 I think the whole world does it really. 13 00:00:34,899 --> 00:00:36,624 You know yourself when you throw a good stone 14 00:00:36,977 --> 00:00:38,596 it's a good feeling like anything. 15 00:00:38,861 --> 00:00:40,866 It gets pretty addictive actually I think yeah, 16 00:00:41,278 --> 00:00:43,962 which is why we've got all these diehards coming here every year. 17 00:00:44,863 --> 00:00:47,666 The day itself has a great vibe, it is a fantastic event 18 00:00:47,700 --> 00:00:49,411 and you see the whole community coming together. 19 00:00:49,496 --> 00:00:54,436 Easdale's the biggest, first, and best, and it's also the hardest to win. 20 00:00:54,471 --> 00:00:57,326 It's the world championship. That's got a lot of kudos. 21 00:00:57,461 --> 00:01:00,985 There are probably a dozen people that come up regularly 22 00:01:01,020 --> 00:01:02,448 that are really good throwers: 23 00:01:02,483 --> 00:01:06,191 Lucy Wood, Paul Crabtree, Dougie Isaacs, Ron Long from Wales. 24 00:01:06,226 --> 00:01:08,610 And you know there's a lot of dark horses come around every few years, 25 00:01:08,615 --> 00:01:10,100 someone that has come from nowhere and won it 26 00:01:10,120 --> 00:01:12,469 and that's happened many, many times and I wouldn't bank against it. 27 00:01:18,779 --> 00:01:19,883 Shite. 27.i 00:01:20 --> 00:01:21 Screen text: “SKIM FOR ENGLAND” 28 00:01:23,270 --> 00:01:26,200 I've always said you've got bat for your county. It's quite important. 29 00:01:26,255 --> 00:01:29,399 If I, a lad from County Durham, went up to Easdale, 30 00:01:29,490 --> 00:01:31,285 Screen text: “Frank Nicholson” won the competition, got the trophy, 31 00:01:31,740 --> 00:01:33,828 got the prestige, it would be absolutely fantastic. 32 00:01:34,286 --> 00:01:35,969 And I think I make people here proud 33 00:01:36,300 --> 00:01:38,890 because there's never been a champion from County Durham before, 34 00:01:39,156 --> 00:01:41,537 which I think is an absolute travesty when you look at the river, 35 00:01:41,751 --> 00:01:42,993 and how wide it is. 36 00:01:47,774 --> 00:01:49,777 Me mam's ran the livery here for 30 years, 37 00:01:49,812 --> 00:01:51,595 so she was living here before I was born, 38 00:01:52,156 --> 00:01:55,033 and yeah I've lived here all me life just me and mam. 39 00:01:55,437 --> 00:01:56,590 That's where Chunky lives. 40 00:01:56,990 --> 00:01:59,400 Really it's just about looking after horses. 41 00:01:59,500 --> 00:02:02,234 it's a big operation, so I do help out when I can 42 00:02:02,566 --> 00:02:05,932 and I don't mind mucking out or groo- ming or, you know, tacking up and that, 43 00:02:06,299 --> 00:02:08,257 but it's been pretty busy recently, 44 00:02:09,173 --> 00:02:11,277 for me 'cos I've got me job, and obviously the training 45 00:02:11,331 --> 00:02:13,804 so a lot of it's left up to mum. 46 00:02:15,911 --> 00:02:18,899 Durham Cathedral was actu- ally started a long time ago, 47 00:02:18,925 --> 00:02:22,587 it started about 1013, cons- truction of the stone building. 48 00:02:22,875 --> 00:02:27,970 But it was the Normans and their invasion brought it to life and 49 00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:29,629 left us with this legacy of 50 00:02:29,737 --> 00:02:32,360 one the finest examples of Norman Romanesque architecture 51 00:02:32,375 --> 00:02:33,606 anywhere in the world. 52 00:02:33,988 --> 00:02:37,255 Screen text: “Paul Bowater Tour Co-Ordinator at Durham Cathedral” Well Frank is an absolutely fantastic tour guide 53 00:02:37,315 --> 00:02:39,041 and the people genuinely do love him, 54 00:02:39,579 --> 00:02:42,031 even though he does have the tendency to drop in 55 00:02:42,602 --> 00:02:45,445 the occasional fact that isn't exactly married to the truth. 56 00:02:45,585 --> 00:02:47,487 And with one touch from the Abbott's Staff 57 00:02:47,535 --> 00:02:52,237 he rose fifty feet in the air and burst into a cloud of flames. 58 00:02:52,582 --> 00:02:55,084 When Frank first told us about the competition, 59 00:02:55,245 --> 00:03:00,164 I have to admit my first thoughts were “Oh no, that's the last thing that we need!” 60 00:03:00,211 --> 00:03:02,350 but he's such a good lad really 61 00:03:02,399 --> 00:03:06,380 so we've allowed him to be flexible with his shifts. 62 00:03:06,445 --> 00:03:09,747 And this is where I come after work. 63 00:03:16,645 --> 00:03:19,190 Screen text: “Arth & Sarah Frank’s friends” When we were at school there was always something about him which 64 00:03:19,225 --> 00:03:21,530 he kind of, you knew he was going to be the best at something, 65 00:03:21,845 --> 00:03:23,922 he was one of those people who kind of did a bit of everything, 66 00:03:23,935 --> 00:03:26,999 and he wouldn't really, you wouldn't really be sure what he'd pick up at 67 00:03:27,025 --> 00:03:28,500 but we always knew he'd be a world-beater, 68 00:03:28,511 --> 00:03:30,576 we just weren't really sure what it'd be at. 69 00:03:30,980 --> 00:03:33,120 He has been a lot more focused with this 70 00:03:33,130 --> 00:03:36,800 than he has been with anything else, like, I've known him be, 71 00:03:36,801 --> 00:03:39,505 like he'll spend hours looking through the stones and like, 72 00:03:39,635 --> 00:03:42,790 saying which one will be the best to throw and like, 73 00:03:42,835 --> 00:03:45,975 he even says the colour some- times is a factor doesn't he? 74 00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:48,654 I don't know what he's talking about but yeah he's, 75 00:03:48,830 --> 00:03:50,217 he's really into it isn't he? 76 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:53,898 It's been great having Arth on board. 77 00:03:54,142 --> 00:03:56,070 He brings a real technicality to it 78 00:03:56,100 --> 00:03:58,355 you know, precision which you need I think if you gonna win at Easdale. 79 00:03:59,095 --> 00:04:03,733 That level of dedication that you need to skim stones, it's not easy. 80 00:04:03,755 --> 00:04:05,278 The stuff that I've kind of helped him with 81 00:04:05,315 --> 00:04:07,855 really has all been about really getting the details of his throws, 82 00:04:07,866 --> 00:04:11,345 so making sure the angles are correct and that he's prepared. 83 00:04:11,640 --> 00:04:16,175 Pretty much every day for a while now we've working on his technique 84 00:04:16,225 --> 00:04:18,097 and that's what it's all about really I would say. 85 00:04:18,275 --> 00:04:21,485 When you have team work involved in a sport which is actually just about 86 00:04:21,500 --> 00:04:23,525 one person and what one person does at the end of the day, 87 00:04:23,620 --> 00:04:26,085 it feels like we're getting as much out of it as he is. 88 00:04:26,115 --> 00:04:28,207 Exactly we're his little entourage aren't we? 89 00:04:29,004 --> 00:04:29,784 You ready? 89.i Screen text: 00:04:41 --> 00:04:45 “Jo Nicholson - Frank’s Mum David Cockburn - Jo’s partner” 90 00:04:45,530 --> 00:04:47,142 Yeah, he throws him- self into a lot of things 91 00:04:47,150 --> 00:04:51,963 but in this he's kind of pushed him- self harder, he's worked harder at, 92 00:04:52,005 --> 00:04:54,412 well the training with you. - The way he's applied himself... 93 00:04:54,447 --> 00:04:55,910 Yeah, it's been good. 94 00:04:56,345 --> 00:04:58,295 I mean I've helped him with it 95 00:04:58,315 --> 00:05:02,507 and he's followed what I've said and he's come up trumps, he really has. 96 00:05:11,393 --> 00:05:13,940 Go... Go... 97 00:05:31,435 --> 00:05:32,615 Oh, look at that! 98 00:05:32,745 --> 00:05:35,963 Look that! Yes! 99 00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:41,663 Frank and I have been on our own here really for, since he was a babe, 100 00:05:42,460 --> 00:05:44,945 and maybe it was time that he had a bloke around, 101 00:05:45,125 --> 00:05:46,211 you know? It's been good. 102 00:05:46,246 --> 00:05:50,645 He's kind of encouraged him not to just work hard 'cos Frank will work hard, 103 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:54,483 but maybe David's been able to push him a little bit to keep at it. 104 00:05:59,165 --> 00:06:01,170 In the evening we're settling down 105 00:06:01,175 --> 00:06:04,000 but he goes back up into his room, he's got his computer, 106 00:06:04,035 --> 00:06:07,190 he's doing research, he's researching all, 107 00:06:07,235 --> 00:06:10,914 everything he can about the best people in skimming in the world, 108 00:06:11,115 --> 00:06:13,478 what's required in one place and another, 109 00:06:13,625 --> 00:06:15,595 he's just picking up on all of the information 110 00:06:15,655 --> 00:06:18,355 and then sort of putting it together. - He's working at it isn't he? 111 00:06:18,370 --> 00:06:20,905 He is. You'd think he was applying himself for an exam 112 00:06:21,255 --> 00:06:24,281 not just the physical side of it but mentally he's preparing. 113 00:06:24,333 --> 00:06:28,322 No, he's really put himself through training; food he thinks about... 114 00:06:28,335 --> 00:06:29,925 I don't know how good the opposition is going to be, 115 00:06:29,950 --> 00:06:31,654 don't know much about the other folks but 116 00:06:32,411 --> 00:06:34,297 I'm really impressed and I'm 117 00:06:34,920 --> 00:06:37,558 quietly confident that he certainly will do quite well. 117.i 00:06:38 --> 00:06:43 Screen text: “Dougie Isaacs 7 x World Champion and 2014 Welsh Open Champion” 118 00:06:43,502 --> 00:06:45,587 The great Dougie Isaacs, 119 00:06:45,785 --> 00:06:48,811 the most famous throwing skimmer in all the land, the world obviously, 120 00:06:49,290 --> 00:06:51,370 is the big name about town this time of year. 121 00:06:51,400 --> 00:06:54,150 My record is 7 world titles in the Easdale Island 122 00:06:54,525 --> 00:06:56,301 hopefully the eighth this year but you never know. 123 00:06:58,100 --> 00:07:01,242 Screen text: “2014 World Stone Skimming Championships” Dougie Isaccs is obviously one of the main contenders. 124 00:07:01,411 --> 00:07:04,950 Last year in the toss off, 'cos there was two or three went into that, 125 00:07:05,275 --> 00:07:08,695 he hit the back wall three times with each of the three 126 00:07:08,765 --> 00:07:11,087 throws in the first round, quite incredible. 127 00:07:16,825 --> 00:07:19,075 I was a bit nervous about meeting all the other people 128 00:07:19,125 --> 00:07:21,119 and I'm canny nervous of about Dougie Isaacs 129 00:07:21,471 --> 00:07:23,380 but apart from that I reckon I'm gonna, 130 00:07:24,270 --> 00:07:25,606 I reckon I'm gonna win it for you mam. 131 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:28,157 I'm gonna be a champion. 132 00:07:28,335 --> 00:07:29,945 He might be nervous about you. 133 00:07:30,500 --> 00:07:31,619 I don't think so. 133.i 00:07:32 --> 00:07:36 Screen text: “Two days before the competition” 134 00:07:33,711 --> 00:07:35,125 I'm feeling pretty positive, 135 00:07:35,235 --> 00:07:38,483 a little bit sore in the shoulder but apart from that I'm feeling great, 136 00:07:39,530 --> 00:07:41,820 ready to go, I'm primed. 137 00:07:44,059 --> 00:07:45,229 I feel like I can win. 138 00:07:54,315 --> 00:07:56,076 It's a good statue but 139 00:07:57,800 --> 00:07:58,936 it's a bit rusty. 140 00:08:15,915 --> 00:08:18,040 I'm a little bit nervous about the weather just because 141 00:08:18,085 --> 00:08:21,202 it can throw off the championships and it's not like Wimbledon. 142 00:08:21,735 --> 00:08:23,360 At Wimbledon they can cover it 143 00:08:23,935 --> 00:08:26,926 and you're like in a stadium any- way and they've got the roof, 144 00:08:27,619 --> 00:08:32,198 and I don't think there's the budget at Easdale for roof over the quarry. 145 00:08:32,500 --> 00:08:33,699 Not yet anyway. 146 00:08:35,708 --> 00:08:39,900 I think if I win it'll make mum quite happy for us, 147 00:08:40,000 --> 00:08:41,433 I think it'll make her proud 148 00:08:42,935 --> 00:08:46,286 'cos I'm not sure if she really knows what I'm up to, 149 00:08:47,635 --> 00:08:50,364 and I just know it'll make it her happy to see me do this, 150 00:08:50,685 --> 00:08:52,000 but maybe it won't. 151 00:08:54,525 --> 00:08:56,570 It's a long drive up from Durham to Easdale 152 00:08:56,745 --> 00:09:01,574 so it's important to stop, rest your arm and actually have a skim, keep it loose 153 00:09:02,025 --> 00:09:07,013 and where better than Loch Lomond? No wind, flat water, loads of stones. 154 00:09:09,900 --> 00:09:13,044 Me skimming's been alright in the run up to the championship but 155 00:09:14,235 --> 00:09:15,315 not great today. 156 00:09:15,395 --> 00:09:19,248 I'm hoping that I get a chance to pra- ctice at Easdale on the actual course, 157 00:09:19,495 --> 00:09:22,111 because otherwise it's a bit of a risk. 158 00:09:22,190 --> 00:09:26,375 Screen text: “Ron Long 2012 World Champion and 8 x Old Tosser (Over-60s Champion) To be a great skimmer, I don't know, I'm still working towards that, 159 00:09:26,405 --> 00:09:30,195 but to become a good skimmer requ- ires dedication, like any other sport, 160 00:09:30,595 --> 00:09:33,435 dedication, practice, determination. 161 00:09:33,485 --> 00:09:39,575 You need power and technique, and good stones and good conditions. 162 00:09:40,615 --> 00:09:43,985 There's not just one thing you need a bit of everything. 163 00:09:44,165 --> 00:09:47,377 It's a cerebral a sport as it is a physical one. 164 00:09:47,965 --> 00:09:51,472 It's an attitude and a state of mind as any sportsman will tell you really, yeah. 165 00:09:51,698 --> 00:09:53,388 And yet the strongest man in the world 166 00:09:53,435 --> 00:09:55,946 could make a total and complete rickett of it, yeah? 167 00:09:56,255 --> 00:10:02,451 And someone with a modicum of technique will win every time. 168 00:10:02,565 --> 00:10:03,608 It's in here. 169 00:10:04,165 --> 00:10:08,259 There is a whirr that comes off the stones that are being spun fast, 170 00:10:08,299 --> 00:10:10,952 and they're nearly always the ones that go very far. 171 00:10:13,695 --> 00:10:17,971 Nerves starting to kick in a little bit but that's 'cos it's coming up, 172 00:10:19,088 --> 00:10:20,007 do know what I mean? 173 00:10:21,965 --> 00:10:23,674 It's literally around the corner. 174 00:10:24,755 --> 00:10:27,231 David's given us something to read when I get to the Highlands. 175 00:10:33,055 --> 00:10:37,285 "On an April morning, I no longer hear bird songs 176 00:10:38,411 --> 00:10:41,068 or the sound of cattle lowing on the moor. 177 00:10:43,676 --> 00:10:47,898 I hear the unpleasant noise of sheep and the English language, 178 00:10:48,455 --> 00:10:51,444 dogs barking and frightening the deer." 179 00:10:53,985 --> 00:10:55,322 Why has he given me that? 180 00:10:59,179 --> 00:11:02,614 I think me biggest fear is coming to the end of me life 181 00:11:03,400 --> 00:11:06,534 and realising that I've actu- ally not done anything major. 182 00:11:07,755 --> 00:11:09,465 I've not got a world record, 183 00:11:10,999 --> 00:11:12,440 I'm not a millionaire, 184 00:11:14,071 --> 00:11:15,474 I'm not a world champion. 185 00:11:27,975 --> 00:11:30,603 It's quite unusual but I'm staying on a lifeboat 186 00:11:30,655 --> 00:11:32,920 on the Isle of Seil, overlooking Easdale. 187 00:11:33,311 --> 00:11:36,200 There's no camping on the Island so this is as close you can get 188 00:11:36,255 --> 00:11:38,183 without actually being in the water. 189 00:11:38,762 --> 00:11:41,001 Went for a good skim earlier, this lifeboat is 190 00:11:41,325 --> 00:11:45,222 perfect because I can just get out, have a quick skim, nip back here have a cuppa. 191 00:11:45,816 --> 00:11:48,645 I'm hoping that the wind and the rain carry on like this 192 00:11:48,725 --> 00:11:51,085 and that way not a lot of people are going to be hitting that back wall 193 00:11:51,400 --> 00:11:53,196 and I might be able to sneak in and take it. 193.i 00:11:56 --> 00:12:00 Screen text: “Day before the competition” 194 00:12:01,300 --> 00:12:05,435 It just grew arms and legs and the first year that we resurrected it 195 00:12:05,500 --> 00:12:10,325 we had about six or seven different nationalities that represented at it 196 00:12:10,410 --> 00:12:12,658 and every year more and more people have come. 197 00:12:13,000 --> 00:12:16,060 Screen text: “Matt McDonald Plattsburgh, New York, USA” I came to Scotland for three weeks to back pack around 198 00:12:16,175 --> 00:12:18,575 and explore and walk in the mountains 199 00:12:18,635 --> 00:12:21,680 and as soon as I read about the world stone skimming championships 200 00:12:21,715 --> 00:12:24,270 I said that is exactly when I need to go to Scotland 201 00:12:24,390 --> 00:12:25,785 because I have to be there to do that. 202 00:12:25,815 --> 00:12:29,095 Screen text: “Guy Tarring London, UK” I heard about this particular com- petition on the radio, 203 00:12:29,135 --> 00:12:34,330 on BBC Radio 4 when they were intervie- wing the previous ladies world champion. 204 00:12:34,395 --> 00:12:39,395 Screen text: “Nadja Allan Auckland, New Zealand” I came here because my friend gave me a skimming stone 205 00:12:39,415 --> 00:12:43,520 and then my dad found out that there was a competition here. 206 00:12:46,375 --> 00:12:49,405 It is a small Island and there's maybe 60 or 70 people on it. 207 00:12:49,460 --> 00:12:51,644 It's nowhere near as remote as what you think it is 208 00:12:51,655 --> 00:12:54,299 and you walk around and you see people all the time saying hello, 209 00:12:54,395 --> 00:12:57,741 such a nice little quaint place to be brought and the community here is great 210 00:12:57,755 --> 00:13:00,882 and it's just nothing like you'd ever imagine 211 00:13:00,955 --> 00:13:03,500 until you get here and exp- erience it yourself I think. 212 00:13:03,685 --> 00:13:05,601 You like it right? - Yeah, it's alright. 213 00:13:12,078 --> 00:13:15,254 Think I was about 7, 7 years old 214 00:13:15,955 --> 00:13:18,915 and my grandad who lives in Inverness 215 00:13:19,065 --> 00:13:23,915 took me down to the sea one day and I was throwing stones with my brother 216 00:13:24,025 --> 00:13:26,245 just throwing stones and then my grandad says, 217 00:13:26,415 --> 00:13:31,263 “If you get a flat stone and make it go and bounce over the water”, 218 00:13:31,275 --> 00:13:33,585 and he showed me, and he done a few and I thought, "That's great". 219 00:13:33,635 --> 00:13:37,908 So I done a few of those and I was good at it. 220 00:13:43,515 --> 00:13:47,221 Born during the Second World War, brought up in a time of great austerity, 221 00:13:47,570 --> 00:13:50,028 no toys, nothing like the kids of today, 222 00:13:50,220 --> 00:13:52,955 our only past time was down at the local River Rhondda, 223 00:13:53,035 --> 00:13:56,105 throwing stones, skimming stones. Yeah, we threw stones, 224 00:13:56,155 --> 00:13:58,632 We threw stones at everything and anybody. 225 00:13:58,645 --> 00:14:00,442 We threw stones at one another, yeah. 226 00:14:00,525 --> 00:14:04,075 But it was a time when kids were allowed to go out and play. 227 00:14:04,865 --> 00:14:09,870 In fact my mother wouldn't let me back into the house until it was dark, 228 00:14:09,910 --> 00:14:11,974 and I was ringing wet through and bleeding. 229 00:14:16,399 --> 00:14:21,201 The rules of the competition are you have to keep both feet on the ockey, 230 00:14:21,755 --> 00:14:26,102 which is a piece of slate about 3 feet square and about 4 inches thick 231 00:14:26,235 --> 00:14:27,495 and you're not allowed to run up, 232 00:14:27,425 --> 00:14:29,125 that's the other thing as well, it's quite important. 233 00:14:29,420 --> 00:14:32,399 The stone has to bounce twice so hit the water three times 234 00:14:32,445 --> 00:14:36,385 and it has to sink within a lane that we've got delineated with buoys. 235 00:14:39,445 --> 00:14:42,995 Screen text: “Hans Esuis Serooskerke, The Netherlands” In Holland you haven't got any stones to find, 236 00:14:45,077 --> 00:14:49,083 and you have to compete here with stones which are locally 237 00:14:49,405 --> 00:14:54,144 everywhere all over the place so I am trying to look at the proper one 238 00:14:54,490 --> 00:15:00,317 and I have made myself a three inch hole to look if they are 239 00:15:01,078 --> 00:15:01,971 appropriate. 240 00:15:05,895 --> 00:15:09,837 Two years ago I got three back walls in the play off 241 00:15:10,620 --> 00:15:14,338 so that's never been done before so that was my favourite one. 242 00:15:14,411 --> 00:15:17,316 You can't beat that. - Well, you can you can get six. 243 00:15:17,900 --> 00:15:20,370 So your first round you can get three back walls, 244 00:15:20,400 --> 00:15:21,870 second round three back walls. 245 00:15:21,900 --> 00:15:26,075 So I think that's going to be done at some point by somebody, you know? 246 00:15:26,145 --> 00:15:28,856 It's only a matter of time, it's the last one left. 247 00:15:31,180 --> 00:15:33,916 Nice! Back wall, back wall! - YEAH! 248 00:15:42,228 --> 00:15:44,253 That was amazing. - Did you see that? 249 00:15:44,756 --> 00:15:45,769 Did you get it? 250 00:15:45,904 --> 00:15:46,997 Yeah, got it. 250.i 00:15:49 Screen text: “Pre-skim party” 251 00:15:50,900 --> 00:15:53,172 Two weeks ago it's hard to believe we were up to our 252 00:15:53,345 --> 00:15:55,888 elbows and knees in allig- ators, and alligator parts 253 00:15:55,900 --> 00:15:59,625 and here we are now in Scotland with you guys and it's amazing. 253.i 00:16:00 --> 00:16:02 Screen text: “The Landry Family Alligator Hunters, Louisiana USA” 254 00:16:04,500 --> 00:16:07,911 Who is the best skimmer, and who is the best skinner? 255 00:16:07,999 --> 00:16:13,354 Oh without a doubt he's the best skimmer, and she's the best skinner. 256 00:16:16,520 --> 00:16:18,066 I had a quite a big moment today: 257 00:16:18,100 --> 00:16:22,307 after quite a stormy morning I went down to the quarry and it was quite calm and 258 00:16:22,915 --> 00:16:26,131 I hit the back wall with like regulation stones, 259 00:16:26,665 --> 00:16:30,744 if I can do that tomorrow I'll win the championship. 260 00:16:36,799 --> 00:16:40,788 Dougie Isaacs is the man to watch and I reckon I can take him. 261 00:16:44,765 --> 00:16:48,833 Screen text: “Simon Stocken London UK” I have known about the World Stone Skimming Championship for 15 years, 262 00:16:49,090 --> 00:16:53,040 every year I look at it and I wonder if this is going to be the year 263 00:16:53,465 --> 00:16:55,844 and this was the year. 264 00:17:00,135 --> 00:17:01,479 Who's your...? 265 00:17:02,215 --> 00:17:04,900 Yeah, Frank's been hitting the back wall I've been hearing. 266 00:17:08,333 --> 00:17:10,485 It's getting a bit excited in there, 267 00:17:10,535 --> 00:17:14,955 it's like a fun party but I'm not going to go wild I know it's a Saturday night, 268 00:17:15,000 --> 00:17:17,571 but it's the Saturday night be- fore the biggest day of my life. 268.i 00:17:21 --> 00:17.23 Screen text: “Competition Day” 268.ii 00:17:25,70 --> 00:17:27,00 Shite! 269 00:18:10,235 --> 00:18:12,325 I might have been guilty of having 270 00:18:12,725 --> 00:18:15,285 a whiskey too many last night at the pre-skim party. 271 00:18:16,315 --> 00:18:18,739 If I'd missed registration I'd never have forgiven myself. 272 00:18:21,235 --> 00:18:24,618 So I'm Frank Nicholson, I'm represen- ting England and I'm from Durham. 273 00:18:26,155 --> 00:18:28,036 How are you feeling today? Are you feeling good for the competition? 274 00:18:28,045 --> 00:18:30,381 No, I'm not. I'm not. 275 00:18:30,585 --> 00:18:34,399 I've got a terrible sense of doom. 276 00:18:34,475 --> 00:18:36,499 I can't even skim a stone 277 00:18:36,565 --> 00:18:41,499 so I think I will not, I will not win at all. 278 00:18:41,799 --> 00:18:44,440 I'm okay. I probably won't hit the back wall but you know, 279 00:18:44,855 --> 00:18:46,515 there's always room for surprises. 280 00:18:47,230 --> 00:18:49,407 I'm going to do three practices before I get down there 281 00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:51,590 anymore than that I'm going to knacker me arm. 282 00:18:51,635 --> 00:18:53,740 I was looking straight yes- terday, I was looking true. 283 00:18:55,065 --> 00:18:56,895 Well I'm not very sure about 284 00:18:56,925 --> 00:18:59,850 the competition because the conditions are very hard today 285 00:18:59,895 --> 00:19:03,035 and we have the wind in front 286 00:19:03,265 --> 00:19:05,768 so we have to struggle through the first metres. 287 00:19:07,275 --> 00:19:09,875 Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, 288 00:19:09,915 --> 00:19:12,531 people from the Isle of Luing, I welcome you all. 289 00:19:12,565 --> 00:19:15,161 Screen text: “Brendan O’Hara MP Argyll & Bute” Lots and lots of strange things happen in Argyll and Bute 290 00:19:15,200 --> 00:19:17,700 but there's nothing quite unique as this event. 291 00:19:17,715 --> 00:19:20,911 Good luck to everybody and now I can say the magic words, 292 00:19:20,965 --> 00:19:23,535 “The competition can now start!” 292.i 00:19:25 --> 00:19:26 Screen text: “THE JUNIOR’S CATEGORY” 293 00:19:39,000 --> 00:19:40,955 I really enjoyed it. 294 00:19:41,035 --> 00:19:45,680 I felt disappointed that I probably won't win, 295 00:19:45,755 --> 00:19:47,282 I thought it was pretty cool. 295.i 00:19:52 --> 00:19:53 Screen text: “THE WOMAN’S CATEGORY” 296 00:20:00,415 --> 00:20:05,360 There's a girl from Switzerland coming this year who threw just over 70 metres, 297 00:20:05,405 --> 00:20:08,585 so that's longer than the quarry, so she could hit the back wall 298 00:20:08,635 --> 00:20:12,502 but high hopes that she may even take away the overall trophy. 298.i 00:20:15,30 --> 00:20:18:20 The lake they were doing it on in Switzerland was down hill. 298.ii 00:20:19 --> 00:20:22 Screen text: “THE MEN’S CATEGORY” 299 00:20:31,800 --> 00:20:35,600 Today I managed a paltry 39 metres. 300 00:20:35,725 --> 00:20:39,295 Yes, it's pathetic but I'm in good company I think, 301 00:20:39,335 --> 00:20:40,885 but that's the name of skimming 302 00:20:41,000 --> 00:20:43,600 and I suppose that's the beauty of it in a way, yeah? 303 00:20:43,675 --> 00:20:45,582 Always battling the conditions. 304 00:20:48,180 --> 00:20:51,125 The only skimming com- petition that has an end; 305 00:20:51,365 --> 00:20:54,758 the rest, it's just as far as you can skim it. 306 00:20:54,925 --> 00:20:58,395 So everyone knows they can skim about 63 metres but 307 00:20:58,435 --> 00:21:02,145 when you've got a few hundred people standing watching you, 308 00:21:02,315 --> 00:21:04,964 and you've come a long way and you know you're going to be, 309 00:21:05,015 --> 00:21:09,070 you know you've got it in you, so it gets very nerve wracking just 310 00:21:09,050 --> 00:21:10,449 for that reason. 311 00:21:24,262 --> 00:21:25,720 Forty-five. 312 00:21:26,876 --> 00:21:27,851 Forty-five? 312.i 00:21:37,00 --> 00:21:29,00 That shy. 313 00:21:40,524 --> 00:21:43,327 Fifty-Seven. Fifty-Seven? 313.i 00:22:03 --> 00:22:05 Screen text: “Score to beat: 61m” 314 00:22:05,615 --> 00:22:08,280 Hopefully I've done enough but 315 00:22:09,125 --> 00:22:11,880 you never know if some wild card could just come in right now and 316 00:22:11,970 --> 00:22:15,172 hit three back walls, so it's tense times. 317 00:22:20,655 --> 00:22:22,390 Frank you're next. 318 00:22:39,916 --> 00:22:41,082 Yeah not bad. 319 00:22:44,675 --> 00:22:46,930 Thirty-Four. 320 00:22:54,785 --> 00:22:56,080 Thirty-Eight. 321 00:23:00,715 --> 00:23:01,640 Right... 322 00:23:12,755 --> 00:23:13,956 Well done Frank. 323 00:23:17,439 --> 00:23:18,883 That's tough conditions today 324 00:23:19,486 --> 00:23:22,024 a lot of people struggling a lot of the big names not quite making it so, 325 00:23:22,425 --> 00:23:25,687 I was feeling I might sneak in but it wasn't be. 326 00:23:26,366 --> 00:23:29,370 Two real throws and foul, I got thirty-eight. 327 00:23:30,300 --> 00:23:32,119 Rejected stone. 328 00:23:33,907 --> 00:23:38,683 I didn't feel like I was in the zone, you know? 329 00:23:50,200 --> 00:23:52,520 That concludes the tossing for the day, 330 00:23:53,455 --> 00:23:56,206 up to the hall, we'll see you there shortly. 331 00:23:56,615 --> 00:23:57,590 Thanks guys. 332 00:24:00,785 --> 00:24:05,291 The gents old tossers and never has been so apt 333 00:24:05,390 --> 00:24:08,433 with a throw of 39 metres, Ron Long. 334 00:24:09,625 --> 00:24:13,399 We like to see good performance if you can't produce it yourself 335 00:24:13,499 --> 00:24:15,923 but at least, yeah, we saw some good skimming today. 336 00:24:16,385 --> 00:24:18,611 So it's that kind of atmosphere which is 337 00:24:18,745 --> 00:24:22,299 refreshing in a world of sports which are dominated by money, 338 00:24:22,320 --> 00:24:25,025 this isn't and I hope it never is, yeah? 339 00:24:25,065 --> 00:24:26,611 We don't want gold medals, 340 00:24:26,655 --> 00:24:29,880 a stone on a string is all the reward we want. 341 00:24:29,900 --> 00:24:31,914 Right onto the ladies, adult ladies. 342 00:24:31,945 --> 00:24:34,845 We're not going to start counting things and get excited ahead of the game. 343 00:24:35,015 --> 00:24:37,694 Do you know what? Until you've got the gold you get nothing, 344 00:24:38,130 --> 00:24:41,361 second place is only the first loser. - Unless I get second. 345 00:24:41,425 --> 00:24:43,611 And then that will be really, really good. 346 00:24:43,699 --> 00:24:45,870 First place with a throw of 40 metres, 347 00:24:45,965 --> 00:24:49,234 and I think the current champion as well, Lucy Wood. 348 00:24:50,875 --> 00:24:52,892 I really want to come back 349 00:24:53,575 --> 00:24:58,535 but next time I think I'm going to have a bit more practice. 350 00:24:59,286 --> 00:25:01,762 In the adult men, moving on. 351 00:25:03,230 --> 00:25:06,360 in third place, all the way from Holland 352 00:25:06,425 --> 00:25:09,541 with a throw 56 metres, Hans Eshuis. 353 00:25:11,399 --> 00:25:15,789 It is not commercial; so it is a very free place and people come here, 354 00:25:15,805 --> 00:25:18,165 it doesn't matter if you're good, it doesn't matter if you're bad 355 00:25:18,205 --> 00:25:20,115 it's just a lovely place for people to come. 356 00:25:20,210 --> 00:25:21,778 And yet again, 357 00:25:23,312 --> 00:25:25,380 with a throw of 61 metres, 358 00:25:25,999 --> 00:25:28,484 the irrepressible Dougie Isaacs. 359 00:25:34,000 --> 00:25:36,019 What's your next target what are you aiming for? 360 00:25:36,035 --> 00:25:39,583 Ten. I'm aiming for ten, I want ten. 361 00:25:42,266 --> 00:25:45,315 That's it folks thank you very much for your 362 00:25:45,325 --> 00:25:48,111 patience waiting for the results and coming along 363 00:25:48,175 --> 00:25:49,932 and sitting through the showers of rain, 364 00:25:50,215 --> 00:25:52,375 thank you very much and I hope to see you all next year. 365 00:25:52,545 --> 00:25:53,527 Thank you very much. 366 00:25:58,340 --> 00:26:01,240 Frank hitting the back wall was a special moment because 367 00:26:01,285 --> 00:26:03,745 of course today no one hit the back wall at all. 368 00:26:03,955 --> 00:26:08,383 So you know, although he didn't win in competition, in our eyes he's a winner. 369 00:26:08,725 --> 00:26:10,320 Cheers mate, that's really kind. 370 00:26:14,525 --> 00:26:16,590 It's the beauty of stone skimming. 371 00:26:17,405 --> 00:26:22,685 It's magical; you're defying nature, you're defying gravity 372 00:26:22,775 --> 00:26:26,764 everyone knows a stone thrown into the water sinks, it's not. 373 00:26:27,090 --> 00:26:29,675 Yeah? It's dancing, it's flying. 374 00:26:29,755 --> 00:26:35,905 There's an emotional and a spiritual yeah dimension to it. 374.i 00:26:47 --> 00:26:50 Screen text: “Six weeks later” 375 00:26:54,960 --> 00:26:56,816 I think actually looking back 376 00:26:56,855 --> 00:26:59,510 I wasn't nearly ready enough to win the championship 377 00:27:00,465 --> 00:27:01,611 but I've changed me training, 378 00:27:01,645 --> 00:27:04,289 I've come up with some new techniques which I'm not going to mention now, 379 00:27:05,122 --> 00:27:06,579 I'll be back next year. 380 00:27:07,360 --> 00:27:09,330 We've had a couple of false starts really, 381 00:27:09,340 --> 00:27:12,900 like his motivation's not been there consistently. 382 00:27:12,945 --> 00:27:15,866 We were a bit concerned that he hadn't found a sense of purpose yet 383 00:27:15,885 --> 00:27:20,850 but now we're quite convinced this is really going to be the making of him. 384 00:27:28,355 --> 00:27:29,999 It's about belonging, 385 00:27:30,800 --> 00:27:31,834 the whole thing. 386 00:27:34,670 --> 00:27:37,814 The word belonging actually comes from the old English word 'gelang'. 387 00:27:38,925 --> 00:27:40,403 Do you know what 'gelang' means? 388 00:27:41,415 --> 00:27:42,838 "At hand with". 389 00:27:43,475 --> 00:27:44,879 That's skimming really 390 00:27:46,700 --> 00:27:48,394 but it's not just you and the stone, 391 00:27:49,600 --> 00:27:53,099 it's you and the stone and a whole community of other people. 392 00:27:55,025 --> 00:27:56,279 Anyone can toss 393 00:27:56,802 --> 00:27:59,966 but tossing together, well that's magic.