Stone Skimming – Belgian-Dutch Championship at RivierPark Maasvallei
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?
Who can participate?
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:
Jung (under 16 years)
Groeëte lûij (16 years and older)
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!
Practical Information
Date: Saturday, May 9
Location: Sports Spot Maasland, Houtweg 225, 3680 Maaseik
Registration: Participants sign up between 9:30 and 10:00 AM
Competition starts: around 10:15 AM
Side activities: SUP introductions, water slides, water experiments, and a bouncing castle
Food & drinks: available on site
End of event: approximately 9:00 PM
Are you coming to cheer on the participants?
Not only participants are welcome at the Belgian‑Dutch Stone Skimming Championship. Everyone is invited to watch, cheer, or simply enjoy this unique event. The more, the merrier, right?
Register
You can now register for the 2026 Belgian‑Dutch Stone Skimming Championship. Registration takes place in two steps.
Buy your ticket using the button below.
In the confirmation email you receive after purchasing your ticket, you’ll find a link to an additional form. Fill it out as well. Only then do we have all the information needed to complete your registration.
Day Program
Caution: this day program is subject to changes.
09:30 – 10:15 Pick up race numbers & stone inspection – walk-in at Sporta
10:15 – 10:30 Official opening & demonstration throws
10:30 – 11:50 Category Jung (under 16) – youth, boys and girls, first session
11:50 – 13:10 Category Groeëte lûij (16+) – adults, men and women, first session
13:10 – 14:30 Category Ouw Schmieters (65+) – seniors, men and women, first session
14:30 – 15:50 Category Jung (under 16) – second session
16:00 Award ceremony – Jung (under 16)
15:50 – 17:10 Category Groeëte lûij (16+) – second session
17:10 – 18:30 Category Ouw Schmieters (65+) – second session
18:30 – 18:55 Finals – top 3 × 3 women & top 3 × 3 men per class
18:55 – 19:15 Award ceremony & closing – honoring Groeëte lûij, Ouw Schmieters, daily winners & village competition
21:00 End of event
Skimming rules
Stones
You may call it what you want – stone skimming, “keilen” or throwing stones – but:
- The stones must be naturally shaped and collected from the banks of the Meuse.
- Shaping or using artificial stones is not allowed.
- Diameter: maximum 9 cm, average 6.5 cm for women, smaller for Jung. Look for stones that fit comfortably in your hand; the flatter the stone, the better.
The Championship
- Each participant gets three throws per session and throws in two sessions, for a total of six stones.
- The stone must bounce at least twice to be valid.
- The distance is measured to the point where the stone sinks.
- The winner in each category is the person with the longest single throw (no totals).
- The top three women and top three men in each category qualify for the final, so there will be 6 women and 6 men in the overall final.
- The finals determine the overall daily winner and therefore the Champion of the Low Countries.
- The participant with the longest throw among women and men also receives a prize.
Local Grand Prize: 1 person – Longest throw (inhabitant of one of the 11 Maas municipalities) wins participation + travel voucher to the World Championship in Scotland.
Not alowed
- Running starts are prohibited; both feet must stay on the Maas stone starting platform (120 cm diameter).
- A throw is invalid if the stone bounces less than twice or lands outside the designated buoy zone (15 meters wide).
- In case of a tie, all distances from the respective round are added. Sessions and finals are judged separately.
Maasdörpe-Kemp (Village competition)
The winning Maas village is the village whose 5 best individual results have the longest total distance.
FAQ
The banks of the Meuse are full of stones, so you can find stones anywhere in RivierPark Maasvallei. It’s important, however, that the stones meet the correct size requirements (see rules above).
If you can’t collect stones beforehand, you can buy stones at the start of the Belgian‑Dutch Stone Skimming Championship for €0.50 each. This is done when you check in. The proceeds from the stone sale will be donated to projects regarding nature preservation in the Meusevalley.
Looking to stay overnight nearby? You can! In and around Maaseik (which includes Aldeneik), there is a wide range of accommodations. Be sure to contact Visit Maaseik for tips and more information.