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Found a perfect skipping stone on the beach path today
After weeks of finding nothing but crumbly rocks, I spotted this flat gray one about the size of my palm near the jetty in Newport. It skipped seven times across the water, which is my personal best in two years of walking there. Anyone else keep track of silly stats like that on their walks?
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jake9861mo ago
Man, I know that feeling all too well. I keep a mental tally of my skipping stone streaks too, and it's always the worn-down, river-smoothed ones that work best. Try looking for rocks that have a layer of mica or a bit of a sheen on one side... that usually means they're dense enough to really pop off the water. If you find one that's perfectly flat on both sides but a little heavier than you think, that's the real magic stone. Seven skips is a solid win, especially after a dry spell.
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martinez.kim1mo ago
Yeah @jake986 you're spot on about the mica and the weight thing. I swear every time I find a rock that feels a bit too heavy for its size it turns into a skipping machine. The sheen thing is tricky though because sometimes that's just a wet rock that looks shiny but is actually crumbly. What do you think about rocks with a little bit of a chip on one edge? I've had mixed luck with those.
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milacraig1mo ago
Jumped in here because I've been on that same hunt for years. @martinez.kim you're right about the chips, I've had some luck with a tiny chip on one side actually, seems to give it a little wobble that keeps it going. But honestly, the real game changer for me was switching to stones that have been in moving water for a while, like a creek or riverbed. They get that smooth, almost soapy feel that's just unbeatable for consistent skips. Your seven skip streak is legit, I'd mark that spot on a map if I were you.
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