![[rock-skipping-video.mp4]]
Video by @omneworld & @ebancorona on Instagram
Written piece by Julie Benda

With the right attitude, stone skipping is a rebellious act that will leave you feeling like you have glitter in your veins

An earthly mistake has been made.

If you are reading this, then something in your playful spirit won today. Something in your body that is both old and young overrode the impulse to use your time more sensibly, and instead said to itself: ‘I will not write that email. No, rather, I will indulge in reading what looks like a very detailed account of throwing smallish flat rocks onto largish flat bodies of water, over and over again.’

As someone who became obsessed recently with the pastime of throwing geological debris across a clear liquidus state of hydrogen and oxygen, I applaud this override. The potential mistake I refer to is a small one; small being about the size that would fit in your hand. After all, I must concede that what I have to offer on the subject pales in comparison with the insight the rocks themselves might have. All of whom have been around a lot longer than I, and whose perspective I imagine being far more illuminating on the brazen endeavour of making heavy things – that should sink – float.

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And this is how you throw a stone. Over and over again without much seriousness. Even as professionals, which you and I are now, we know throwing rocks at water should never be taken seriously. Thankfully, the other people who throw rocks at water have been good examples of this. We especially look up to our septuagenarian ‘opponent’ Mike ‘Airtight Alibi’ Williamson. He once threw a rock across the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. You notice that there is something subversive in this type of play and not taking yourself too seriously. I told you once that this was an act of rebellion, and you start to agree.

Surrounded by people and stones young and old, one midsummer day, you throw a rock at the water and receive some exciting attention for it. It is a good toss at a right time and, wow, in the world of rock throwing, it is special. When asked how you did it, you pause and ponder why the common retort of ‘hard work’ no longer makes sense. The you that knows how to skip a stone whispers that it might be ‘gentle play’ that got you here.

Gentle play, as it turns out, can be tiring. So, after a long day of throwing rocks at the water, you rest. The stones that are yet to be thrown are sitting next to you, as they do, basking in the sun. They don’t say anything, because they can’t, but they tell you all the same: the only mistake would be missing this moment.

And then you go back the next day, bucket in tow, a little lighter than the day before.

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