Man breaks world record after skimming stone 157 meters

By Filipa Gaspar

Video shows a Brit skimming a stone 157m (515ft) - further than the official world record.

Phillip Bloxham, 35, is now one of the world's best stone skippers.

He spent a large part of his childhood skimming stones - until he was told he was ''skimming like a champion'' while on holiday in Devon.

He reached his best throw of 140 m (459ft) in 2024 while competing on the Welsh championships.

But on a random practicing day, the expert broke his own record - by skimming a stone for 157m (515ft).

The video shows the stunning moment Phillip skims the stone across Cosmeston Lakes in Penarth, Wales.

The official Guinness World Record for the farthest stone skim is 121.8 meters (399 ft 7.27 in), achieved on May 28, 2018,

Phillip, who lives in Cardiff and works for a bank, said: "I grew up in a great rural village, near Narberth in Wales.

"I spent my whole childhood skimming stones and climbing trees.

"I knew I was good at it, but only in 2022 did some random woman see my skimming stones in Devon and shouted 'champion stone skimmer there!'

"I thought nothing of it, but 2 weeks later sat at my desk just suddenly wondered whether competitions did exist.

"That was 2 weeks before the Welsh Championships. I went along and came 2nd that year, then 2nd the next year, the 1st the next in 2024."

Phillip said that a bad knee accident 10 years ago, followed by six surgeries, meant that his other hobbies of snowboarding, climbing and surfing were "out of reach".

He often practices his techniques around Wales, at Cosmeston Lakes in Penarth and Carew Castle, in Pembrokeshire.

He said: "Stone skimming is something I can still excel at, making it even more precious.

"Using nothing but nature and myself to do incredible things.

"It still amazes me every time that stone dances along the water towards the horizon - mesmerizing.

"It gets me out into nature regularly, and because I often skim rubbish stones as well as great ones, every time is different and has its own challenges.

"In terms of competition, I just love the atmosphere.

"A whole bunch of adults who never gave up skimming stones.

"A really lovely bunch of people who I love to see each time we meet up."

He has even taught his wife Bethan Bloxham and his wife's sister Nerys Wells the art of stone skimming.

Phillip said that Nerys is the current Welsh champion.

He added: "In 2024 at the Welsh championships I got 1st and my wife got 3rd.

"She has adapted to the life of living with a stone skimmer.

"She was not a skimmer before I taught her.

"She is very supportive of it all - perfect wife."

Phillip is currently in Argentina to judge in the country's first championship in the sport.

The event is taking place in Patagonia.

He added: "Last year, I got 2nd again, so after this Argentina trip I'll be excited to go see how we all do in May.

"It's about being there and having fun more than winning, but we all do like winning.

"I am aiming for 200m one day! I haven't gotten quite that far yet.

"I do plan to take the official records for distance and number of skips this year, it's just a case of getting around to it and making good evidence."

To view his stone skimming videos check his Instagram page here: @stone_skimmer