Swiss resort sets up stone-skimming contest to shake off 'most boring' label

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/13/swiss-resort-stone-skimming-most-boring-label

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A village described as "the most boring holiday resort in Switzerland" is calling on Scottish stone-skimming experts to help set up a competition that will liven up the region.

A local hotelier, Andy Hostettler, came up with the idea of hosting a stone-skimming championship after residents in the picturesque village of Ermatingen in northern Switzerland took offence at the resort being billed as boring earlier this year.

Business owners and tourist officials say the title reflects the fact that the quiet village "has nothing, does nothing, and offers nothing" and so offers a tranquil and relaxing place to go on holiday.

But facing criticism from locals who did not like the idea that the village "offers nothing", Hostettler came up with the idea for a new event.

"We positioned our village as the most boring resort in Switzerland," he said. "The idea is that it is so boring, you can relax. But some people did not understand it.

"Then we thought, well, what should we do for an event? And what does someone do when they are bored? They skim stones."

Hostettler had planned on hosting what he thought would be the first stone-skimming world championships, but upon discovering that already took place on Easdale Island in Scotland, he contacted the organisers to ask if he could set up a qualifying round instead.

"They thought it was a great idea," he said. "I asked if they could send someone over to help with the rules and techniques and they said they would be happy to."

The competition is being held in Ermatingen on 16 August, with the person who can skim a stone across the water the highest number of times then going on to compete at the World Stone Skimming Championships in Scotland in September.

Hostettler has grilled local geologists to find out where to get the correct stones for the stone skimming contestants and is planning a trip to eastern Switzerland next month to find "the best materials along the side of the Rhine".