How This Guy Became The Best Rock Skipper On The Planet | Obsessed | WIRED

Kurt Steiner is record holding champion stone skipper-and a master of the physics that underpin the sport. A labor of love that's evolved into a world-class passion, see where Kurt harvests his preferred rocks, the qualities he seeks in them, and each factor he considers in order to throw like a pro.
Director: Charlie Jordan
Director of Photography: Chris Foreman
Editor: Jordan Calig
Expert: Kurt Steiner
Creative Producer: Wendi Jonassen
Line Producer: Joseph Buscemi
Associate Producer: Brandon White
Production Manager: Eric Martinez
Production Coordinator: Fernando Davila
Camera Operator: Brett Wineland
Audio: Andrew Santin
Production Assistant: Chris McAuliffe
Post Production Supervisor: Alexa Deutsch
Post Production Coordinator: Ian Bryant
Supervising Editor: Doug Larsen
Assistant Editor: Andy Morell
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[@DVD927]

I like this guy. Not hurting anyone, just doin his thang. Inexpensive hobby, gets you outside.

[@dronespace]

Wholesome

[@brynwest4495]

He's hurting the fish

[@AstonishingAster]

​@@brynwest4495ffs😂

[@l4k]

@@brynwest4495and the water

[@nazunasapostle1stapostleof755]

​@@brynwest4495thats just killing 80 fish with one stone for dinner

[@dvklaveren]

"A simple thing, through mastery, becomes a really visual, spiritual kind of art form. It's a way of making joy out of nothing, and that can't be valueless right?" Beautiful words.

[@gus473]

Zen rock skipper.... 😎✌️

[@Bricker68]

I was just coming to copy down the same thing!

[@magnusop5773]

That words reminds me of Miyamoto musahshi of Vagabond.

[@ChickenSoupMusic]

❤

[@Beanbag-qs4ju]

Agreed

[@RanmaSyaoranSaotome]

He's a great communicator with an element of wisdom to his words.

[@20alphabet]

C'mon man, the dude can't master a razor.

[@RanmaSyaoranSaotome]

@@20alphabet Maybe he's wise enough to realise appearances don't matter too.

[@MRLONG758]

It's the beard

[@polton00]

@@20alphabet the type of dude to call people like this weird hippies, because they're jealous of peace and happiness

[@DjZephy]

Wow that was condescending af, I'll be sure to pass your message along to him one day and give him a "attaboy" on your behalf

[@abdusco]

He has a very fitting last name: Steiner. Stein means stone in German, Steiner is like a stonemason, or a stone master, if you will.

[@Tony2dH]

Stoner, if you will 😁

[@raptor-pm3it]

In Norwegian it literally means stones

[@sagetmaster4]

​@@raptor-pm3itwhat about the Norwegian name Steinar? Any relation etymologically?

[@TheAlmightySncks]

@@sagetmaster4Regional accent variation of the same word. Means the same. :)

[@Birdylockso]

I thought a stein is a beer mug.

[@44mory]

"Making joy out of nothing, and that can't be valueless." best words I have heard in a very long time, this guy is a real mensch...

[@chickenbob562]

is it an actual thing to say "mensch" or are you german?

[@ccrisc100]

​@chickenbob562 Probably Jewish. "A mensch, in Yiddish, is a person of integrity, morality, dignity, with a sense of what is right and responsible."

[@terriwetz6077]

So sad he lost his friend after such a short time together. He strikes me as a very introverted person but skipping rocks gives him both tranquility and a purpose.

[@WDChevyMan]

Seems like thats what he described in the video

[@user-ik2ps1fu5e]

People with autism have odd special hobbies 🙂

[@jopo7996]

This guy rocks! I almost skipped this video.

[@kmw4359]

Groan ….😂😂😂

[@leevancliffneridacampo7769]

You did not!?🙃🤣

[@modernmistyk4341]

Two puns in just one comment! What a gas

[@jaekn]

@@modernmistyk4341 Noone has said "what a gas" since 1968

[@milire2668]

@@jaekn u mean since 1945 ... hol up!

[@cinderwolf32]

How quickly he got her to do so well is incredible

[@daniaguinaga1754]

"It's a way of making joy out of nothing and that can't be valueless, right?"

[@blt5991]

This. Indeed!!

[@jimmyispromo]

This dude is just a genius and living his best simple life. Love it

[@franzschubertv2874]

It’s not who has the most that wins in life. It is who needs the least.

[@EnigmaticAlien]

Well in that regard I'm winning out of most people I know. @@franzschubertv2874

[@Godwinsname]

"It's a way to create joy out of nothing, and that can't be value-less." Splendid!

[@nerd26373]

He’s throwing that rock like it’s no big deal. Kudos to him for having super strength.

[@BarEscm]

8:57 I love her amazement at her own throw. She really couldn't believe she could do it that good. Shows how important a good technique is.

[@TheWineroute]

I grew up on Lake Michigan taught myself some skills but nothing like this....He's a genius. Kudos to the Director and Host!

[@nbarealtalker]

This just goes to show how literally anything in this world is interesting whenever you can find the human story behind it.

[@indy4516]

Kurt has such great energy. I could listen to him talk all day. Great interview

[@Aragorn7884]

Imagine being a fish swimming, going about your day and _THIS_ guy comes around...

[@slickstretch6391]

Not a problem. His rocks go over the top of the water.

[@Aragorn7884]

​@@slickstretch6391😵☠️🐟

[@kurtduvel4345]

His rivalry and relationship with Russ clearly meant a lot to him Follow your passion and you may find friends there to share it with

[@spiralwhirlpool2366]

As someone who also enjoys rock skipping, his wisdom made it emotional when it shouldnt have been. Haha

[@ThePumpkinToadAbides]

Me too!

[@ThePeyboy33]

I love seeing the joy on her face when she skipped a rock well. So pure

[@BillyLeeGoodman]

Okay this guy is officially the coolest guy!

[@WeWynne]

The last time I saw my dad alive, was on his birthday. Ironically, we went to a local creek to visit where they placed my grandfather's ashes. We spent the afternoon skipping stones. I had video of it, but lost it when an old PC crashed and hdd died... skipping stones is one of my all time favorite things to do since I was a kid. Thank you for this video.

[@nicknicksiren]

What a cool guy. Respect his love for outdoors and his ability to communicate effectively. Cheers to him!

[@ThePumpkinToadAbides]

This guy gets it. I've been skipping rocks like this my whole life and a lot of these concepts have been sort of in the back of my mind, but now I will pay much more attention to the rock slope, my grip, twists, etc. Can't wait to use this to get better at rock skipping!

[@ShadyRonin]

I love this so much. The simple joy of him skipping stones is contagious.

[@deathbypigx3h]

This is like if Netero spent all those years practicing rock skipping instead of doing 10,000 punches of gratitude lol

[@bnnguyenrw]

A man/woman of culture I see.

[@ak_hoops]

More videos like this man! This was really dope. So glad you all did a long after recap.

[@S8NSAYS]

A beautiful reminder of the importance of being present. Bravo.

[@UntilNextime]

I never thought skipping a stone required so much to think about. But Kurt is the greatest stoner ever with a demeanor and personality I admire. He'd be a friend for life where as all others have been met with my social anxiety doom.

[@ejkoslav]

In Bulgaria we call this "правя жабки" which is literally translated to "making frogs" and a better translation could be "making the stone jump like a frog". I love it since I was a kid doing it on the surface of the Danube river 😊

[@jopiluis3382]

What a humble person he is - he loves skipping stones and the greatness of it is demonstrated to everyone else the instant he throws a rock!

[@beepboop8446]

I've always tried skipping stones whenever we go to the beach. But I always end up with just 2-4 skips. Even though I always pick the most flat stone on the shore and add a spin to it. The best I ever got was like 8 skips. This video really helps and the person himself seems so wise and smart that it is very interesting to watch!

[@benreiter7218]

This is a beautiful video. Thank you for creating it and featuring Kurt. I'm glad that I took 10 minutes to watch this and hear his story.

[@veitastic6866]

What a kind and genuine person Kurt is. I love how he describes that it's really just a reason to get out into nature. You don't need to spend thousands of dollars on equipment, just a rock will do.

[@pkoppula]

He seems a very wonderful person. And he had tears talking about his lost mate. Nice heartwarming video this one 💯👏🏽👍🏽

[@nc3136]

Skipping rocks is contagious. I was with the fam on the creek swimming when I decided to have a rock skipping competition with my girls son. After 15 minutes of us having a ball I looked up the bank at the other people, about 50, and everyone was skipping rocks. The guys next to us, the reason I looked up, said it looked like fun but he thought he was to cool. As he threw the stone I just laughed and said naw your not.

[@anonnymousperson]

He seems like a nice, chill guy. I like him.

[@SKAVSTADEATHCREW]

One of the most pleasant characters i have ever seen a portrait of

[@Mutantcy1992]

I love skipping rocks, grew up doing it. Never was anything too impressive, probably 20 skips was my peak, but my goals tended to be different. I wanted to skip all the way across a river, wanted to skip ridiculous rocks, ones that were shaped "wrong" for skipping, ones that were so large that even a single skip was a huge accomplishment. But Kurt's ideas about rock shape make total sense and he has some preposterously nice rocks to skip with. It was funny to see the host shocked at her immediate success. She probably has never used such great rocks before. Wish the video included Kurt skipping a rock that was basically made to *not* be skipped, but hey

[@tylerharris6581]

I also have a rock skipping addiction! People called me crazy for bringing a crate of skippers with me to ponds or lakes, so this made me happy

[@SOGYB]

Skip on brotha

[@childonfire1]

Dude should try playing disc golf. I would love to see him throw forehand!

[@Bobby12many]

To be simple is to be great - R.W.E Kurt Steiner seems like a truly great human and his passion is inspiring.

[@marcellosalis5063]

"Making joy out of nothing." Best quote ever.

[@jopo7996]

The neighbors on his lake are upset that it's only a foot deep now.

[@adrianaluptak3832]

When i was a kid i had found the perfect skipping stone - flat and bright red. I used to throw it hundreds of times in the sea and always come back for it (because it was so bright red and easy to spot) it was such a great core memory for me that i decided to keep it and i have it till today

[@andrewkielbasowycz1915]

just a cool dude, who finds all the beauty in his simple passion

[@musicandaffection6363]

Being able to have blunt conversations are amazing

[@cheweperro]

He sounds like a zen master, talking about flow. About mindfulness, awareness, presence. About being in the moment Love it

[@knw-seeker6836]

Authentic down to earth person With an wonderful sense of wisdom

[@RockSkippingPro]

Kurt should write a book. I'd love to hear more about his philosophies on life and rock skipping. Seems like a great guy!

[@bryancorts5389]

Thats cool to watch! Thanks for sharing

[@BenjamintheTortoise]

He's a good dude with a beautiful heart

[@Harshcarrot5309]

Honestly just seems like a super nice wholesome guy. I enjoy skipping rocks and now I am going ro use some of these pointers to try and get some really good skips. Honestly you gotta enjoy the little things in life.

[@p.s.tea.w]

a beautiful coverage, mr. Steiner, you rock! 😎

[@lindachen5179]

love this. Thank you so much and about the value of connection, physics and beauty of stone skipping- and getting to see how a few specific tips really changed the interviewer's (reporter's) throw. "I couldn't surf, but I could surf as a stone."

[@D3ft0ne]

The way of making joy out of nothing... this gave me weird goose bumps! So well said.

[@grocerygrip]

Now that's how you take a childhood memory into a passion. Kurt has taken me back to my childhood. I wanna skip rocks again!!

[@rainbowoflight]

I had no idea there were tournaments for this. Amazing.

[@cgbreeki849]

He talked about how part of what it's all about is getting outside, and that couldn't be more true. Stone skipping is what made me begin to develop a deep appreciation for nature. It started with that first WIRED video on the topic. Oh man, good old 2019.

[@majapa]

I’m the best rock skipper among my friends, and most anyone I’ve come across in public… and I can’t hold a candle to this guy. Kudos!

[@infestructure]

I challenge you to a rock skip

[@frits8986]

This is fascinating stuff. Found myself smiling at his left-right hand and flip the stone over explanation

[@SapientEudaimonia]

The science, art, and mastery of stone skipping! I love it!

[@kamen42]

Steiner, a great name for anyone doing anything with stones.

[@basmus]

Such a good explaination for a beginner! I'll definetely try it out when I'm at a nice lake the next time

[@cucamongaduke3600]

The algorithm did me well today. What a fantastic and beautiful story.

[@bsmith8564]

I did a 17 counted by my Grand Dad at Kron's beach on Madeline Island lake superior when i was twelve. He smiled and told every one back at the farm house about it. I miss you George.

[@dunkleosteus430]

He's one of the coolest people I've ever seen in a video.

[@MidooHadi]

Sensei! A true professor right here

[@stubees88]

I've just fallen in love with this man. Happiness within simplicity. Gonna skim more stones.

[@keithhepworth4934]

One of my favorite memories was when I was eight. My brothers and I spent part of the day walking along the shores of Jackson Lake in Wyoming looking for perfect stones and then skipping them. Of course, my oldest brother had the best throws.

[@dalliswillard1843]

I needed this. Seems like a great person.

[@neymarthegoat8246]

this is emotional

[@crikch]

very interesting video, you can tell the guy has a lot of passion and love for stone skipping

[@ScrubsIsee]

Most skips I got until today: 21 Maybe I can improve now with the infos provided by him. Such a humble guy. Hope he lives a long and happy live.

[@Socosfortes]

this needs to become a formal sport, with proper skip stones production and tournaments and all

[@pokemonovice9758]

This was freaking wholesome!

[@alexszlanina7548]

".. I guess, one thing I don't do is think about how I'm thinking when I'm standing up there .. I feel it, let it go.. and it's all good." .. Love it.

[@UntilDeathDoUsPart-ur1gf]

Masterfully Skilled + Excellent Communicator = One Of A Kind!

[@tjblackforest69]

What a great attitude

[@smftv]

My brother and I had a pond in front of our house growing up, and we skipped rocks all the time, but we had to comb the neighborhood for stones because they weren't readily available like by a seashore. Neither one of us ever came close to his record or the flat type of stones he used, but we did get skips in the 20's, and we were seriously impressed with that! Ah childhood, and keeping that spirit alive. 😊

[@kandredfpv]

Can't help but love guy. Just so down to earth, finding pleasure in such a simple thing and spent time perfecting it. I too love a to skip stones and have got my kids into it. Great cheap fun.

[@Cwildyoutube]

This guy rocks. What a legend.

[@strawberyjustice]

i've been skipping rocks during the summer over the last 3 years. nowhere near this yet but it's been fun to see the progression!

[@Pshady]

In a world of quick cut loud but short vertically cropped videos I enjoyed this calm, 10 minutes of beautiful and educational video.

[@clay2889]

This was so wholesome. Kurt is awesome!

[@LadyYoop]

This is so awesome. I've skipped many a rock, but had no clue it got so intense. Hat's off!

[@SmiteMeAlmightySmiter]

"Its a way of making joy out of nothing and that cant be valueless." Facts.

[@qed456]

a true athlete

[@climbscience4813]

What a great guy!

[@debrachambers1304]

6:33 "and also a years long rivalry" "MADARAAA!" "HASHIRAMAAA!"

[@cvn6555]

Was at a lake with my best friend and his dad back in the early 80's. We were skipping stones, feeling pretty good if we got more than four. The dad let one rip and it did something I had never witnessed before or after- it skipped about 16 times then just started to spin on top of the water as it travelled away. Couldn't begin to estimate just how many "skips" it was. Totally blew our minds.

[@Poetc]

Beautiful story!

[@kumite14u]

The way he pulls his throwing arm down and tight into his body as he throws to generate the most power is a very similar technique in karate when delivering a hand strike.

[@redpillnibbler4423]

I spent my youth skimming stones in the sea,it was a thing where I lived at the time.A lot of it is the wrist action which imparts the spin,getting the angle right,and the size/shape of the stone. You can skim almost any shape stone large or small (maybe just once) using the same technique as with flat stones.

[@marklorant1906]

He's the Keanu Reeves of rock skipping.

[@TheDemonGamerOfFleetStreet]

One cool and nice and bright guy.

[@DeanJayJackmanJr]

Id like to see this guys forehand in disc golf.

[@seasong7655]

We need this guy on the slowmo guys

[@TheGoobler]

What a wonderful mind and a wonderful man

[@hishamdaniell]

imagine the archeologists 1 million years later trying to explain why there are a lot of flat thin rocks in the lake