Pond Skimming comes to Vail Sunday April 18 to end the season

Spring Back to Vail is classic fun

Vail’s World Pond Skimming Championships – Registration Still Open

General: The Rockstar World Pond Skimming Championships entails floatable (and sometimes sinkable) athletes launching themselves off an on-snow jump, into a 100-foot pond in an attempt to successfully exit the pond on both feet. So, you think you can do it? Sign Up!

Competitors will vie for fame and glory in a showing that defies the laws of physics and perhaps even common sense. Judges will score each competitor on distance, style, creativity and water solubility. All eyes will be on the Grand Prize, to be announced soon, and the elusive Golden Skimmer Title.

This year’s pond skimming competition will include a free BBQ courtesy of Vail Resorts. All spectators are invited to enjoy the BBQ from 2:30pm-4:30pm while supplies last.

Judging Criteria:
There is only one division in the Rockstar World Pond Skimming Championships. You must outdo all skiers and snowboarders, men and women, children and the elderly if you are to be crowned the Rockstar World Pond Skimming Champion.
Scores are based on:

Creativity/Costume – 10 point scale

Distance – 0.5 point for every 5 feet crossed & 12 points for all the way (zero points for distance for using any skis wider than 11.5cm at mid-ski (waist).

Overall Impression – 10 point scale (this includes costume, style, distance and showmanship

Crowd Response – 10 point scale based on the noise meter and overall crowd reaction

Bonus Points – 3 points added for going switch on skis (backwards); 2 points for fakie on a snowboard

Rules:
1. Participants may only use a single pair of snow skis or a single snowboard as a means to cross the pond.

2. No additional equipment or aid may be used (no water skis). Zero points for distance for using skis wider than 11.5cm at mid-ski (waist).

3. No additional equipment or aid may be used (no water skis). Zero points for distance for using skis wider than 11.5cm at mid-ski (waist).

4. Only one participant may attempt a crossing at a time.

5. No starting above the start line.

6. Participants may only attempt a crossing when the pond is clear of all people, equipment, debris, etc.

7. The starter will signal when the pond and course are clear and a participant may attempt a crossing. The starter has the final say.

8. Absolutely no inverts.

9. No poles of any kind may be used.

10. Do not try to ski out the side of the pool.

11. Please exit only at the end of the pool.

12. If a participant crashes before reaching the pond they will be disqualified immediately (no reruns).

13. All participants may use the participant hot tub after their run. Once full, as a new person gets in, the first person in gets out. Except the leader, who gets to stay in the hot tub until knocked out.