Stone Skimming Championship

On Saturday, May 9, the very first Belgian-Dutch Stone Skimming Championship will take place at RivierPark Maasvallei. Stone Skimming — also known as skipping stones, keilen, sjmieten, or shuijfelen (how you say it in Dutch dialects)— has long been nearly a national sport in Scotland. Enthusiastic skimmers from all around the world come to the scenic Easdale Island to show their skills to the public and compete for the coveted trophy to take home for a year.

The banks of the Meuse also make a great setting for a stone-skipping contest. Will you come and try your luck for eternal glory?

Everyone is welcome to try (once or up to three times) to achieve the longest throw. There are three categories where participants from ages 6 to 100 can give it their best:

1. Jung (under 16 years)
2. Groeëte lûij (16 years and older)
3. Ouw schmieters (65 years+)

There’s also a playful team competition called the Maasdörpe-kemp, which plays on historic rivalries between villages (for example, Stokkem vs. Obbicht or Kotem vs. Elsloo). The three longest throws from each village count toward this challenge — and you don’t need to register separately for this.

The winner takes home a beautiful trophy. And for the top competitor from the Maasvallei (someone who lives in the Maasvallei area), there’s a very special prize: a spot at the Stone Skimming World Championship 2026 in Scotland!

Meer info: Rivierpark Maasvallei - Stone Skimming