You may not beat the world record of 88 bounces but you can give it your best shot

Pick your pebble

Even the novice spinner can improve their chances by seeking out flat, round and smooth stones. Scientists have proved that stones of roughly 5cm in diameter fare best (it’s down to their surface area). Record holder Kurt Steiner recommends a weight of around 100–200g and a thickness of 6mm.

Find your entry point

Another previous record holder advises keeping the first bounce close – aiming for splashdown within 4.5 metres of the throwing point.

Give it a spin

Spin the stone as it leaves your fingers.

Let’s get technical

Those clever scientists have proved you need to ensure there’s an angle of 20 degrees between the stone and the water and that it’s launched at a speed of at least 5.6 miles per hour. How you actually use that knowledge out in the wild, we’re less sure of, but you’ve got until 27 September, the date of this year’s World Stone Skimming Championship near Oban in Scotland, to figure it out.