It's true, there are "professional" stone skippers, who compete in an annual competition on Mackinac Island every July 4th.
It seems a little odd that the contest would take place under such challenging conditions, where lakes Huron and Michigan meet to produce two-foot waves crashing on the beach, but it's the oldest and most prestigious competition in the U.S.
Mackinac Island is an odd place: a combination tourist trap and state park, so it's lined with the requisite fudge shops, but motorized vehicles are banned so transport is done by horse.
At the competition, Minnesota Monthly writer Frank Bures, met some of the rock-skipping legends, picked up some tips, and threw an impressive 19-skipper — pretty good considering the Mackinac record is 33. That said, the Guinness record on flat water is 88 skips, so he has to keep practicing!
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