Shepherd's Leap: The Folk Sport of the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are a Spanish archipelago off the coast of western Africa. Before tourism transformed the islands into a sunny destination, the economy was dominated by shepherding. Long centuries of this profession led to the development of Salto del Pastor--the shepherd's leap.

To navigate through the rocky hills of the islands, shepherds used a long staff with a metal tip to hurl themselves over obstacles and down the mountains. Today, it is a sport that requires great strength and dexterity.

I can see how the technique is useful. Salto de Pastor is a kind of practical parkour, but for rural rather than urban environments.

-via Massimo


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