| Strength and competition are highly appreciated values for Basque people. For centuries sports took place in very hard conditions imposed by the physical landscape. Basque sports are strength sports mainly, deriving from farmers and fishermen's everyday life: rowing boats competitions, trunk cutting (aizkolariak), stone lifting (harri-jasotzaileak) or Basque pelota, the local sport with biggest international projection. Harrijasotzailes / Stone lifters
Stone lifting is one of the oldest and most traditional Basque sports. Stone lifters must be strong and have a deep concentration as this sport, like other traditional Basque sports, derives from the different works farmers used to practicing.
Stone physiology varies depending on the proof to do. There are many different forms and sizes: rectangular, cubic, cylindrical or spherical stones, all of them of granite. This interesting activity attracts many people, that's why there's a lively atmosphere during these events.  Aizkolaria / Tree hacking or log sawingAizkolaris are those who saw logs with an ax. This is a traditional Basque sport that requires much strength and precision and its practice derives from the typical farmer's duties.
Aizkolaris, or "log sawyers or hackers", make bets among them. Some conditions are agreed, according to the kind of wood, and the amount and thickness of the logs to saw. These challenges become important events for fans. They bet for their favourite "aizkolari" and so emotion gets higher until the contest ends. 
Estropadak / Oar boats regattasOar boat regattas are a sport with great tradition in the Basque Country. Its origin comes from the fishers' daily work, who used to go every day from the port to the fishing ground and viceversa in the shortest time. Nowadays the crew is formed by 13 rowers and a master, who is situated at the boat's stern to guide and cheer his rowers.
Regattas take place in summer. The most important contest is the one of the Bay of La Concha (Donostia-San Sebastián). In this contest, of more than a century, eight boats compete to get the prized flag. This is one of the most important sport events in the Basque Country.  Sheepdog trialsThe origin of sheepdog trials lies in the importance of shepherding among the Basques. These dogs basically have to demonstrate obedience, herd the flock of sheep into a fold and back out again to the starting point. They gain points for their said obedience, for the way in which they follow the orders of the shepherd and for taking the sheep round the course without biting or barking at them.  Idi-Dema / The dragging of blocks of stone by oxenMost of our farmhouses are proud of their oxen and challenges between their owners were common in our squares. The weight of the stone varies between 1,000 and 4,500 kilos, although it is not uncommon for them to weigh over 5,000 kilos. Nowadays, however, these competitions are usually carried out with smaller stones making the event faster and more spectacular, without the short pulls involved in the dragging of heavier blocks. The surface on which the competition takes place is cobbled. The length of the course varies from 22 to 28 metres. The trial consists of dragging the block of stone once up and once down the area in question in the shortest possible time.
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Traditions
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