For the second straight year, high honors in Orne’s Candy Store’s International Rock Skipping Contest on Saturday, July 11, went to a Canadian man.

“That's why we call it international," said Jean Webster, who with her husband John and his brother Arthur have been running the competition for the last 12 years.

Drew Quayle “Canadian”of Hamilton, Ontario, won the men's division with a record-breaking 31 skips. He attributed his success to the life-long exercise of his talent passed on from his grandfather.

"I have been skipping rocks since I was 4 years old,” Quayle said.

Co-organizer John Webster said that the secret to success in the competition is in the selection of the rocks.

"They can't be too light,” Webster said. In addition to being flat, rocks also must mold well to the fingers and be slung from a position close to the water.

"You can't use a backhand. You can't get enough power that way,” said Webster.

John Webster was the master of ceremonies while Arthur Webster readied contestants at the water’s edge. Jean Webster signed in the competitors and additional volunteers assisted organizing competitors into four categories.

“We used to do it as a family competition,” said Jean Webster. “It grew from there.”

The awards this year were painted rocks mounted on wooden stands.

Many of the competitors were repeat visitors to the area from as far away as Pennsylvania, Connecticut and France. Many have come as families and filled out each of the categories. As with Quayle, several of the competitors had scored high in the past.

"I just don't want to embarrass myself," said Ben Snead of Monroe, Connecticut.

In addition to the trophies the winners received a pound of fudge from the candy store. All the competitors received a crystal candy stick.

Other winners were: Mason “Puckchucker” Lutz, men’s under 12; Cassidy “Rockcaster” MacKay, women’s under 12; and Steph “Rocket” MacKay, adult women’s division.

Proceeds from the event went to the Boothbay Region Food Pantry.