Leap Into the Canary Islands’ Epic Folk Sport | Short Film Showcase

Imagine pole-vaulting across dangerous terrain, down steep slopes and ravines. "Salto del pastor"-translated from Spanish as "the shepherd's leap"-is just that. Now a folk sport and hobby, it was once the Guanches way of transport while shepherding on the volcanic terrain of the Canary Islands. Gregorio is a shepherd who still moves around this way, avoiding the use of cars and city life. Salto is now seen as a hobby or a leisure sport practiced by enthusiasts who continue the tradition. We meet Gregorio, as well as the others who have developed new techniques to enjoy this peculiar transportation, in this short film by Dorota Mazur and Robert Migas.
➡ Subscribe: bit.ly/NatGeoSu...
➡ Get More Short Film Showcase: bit.ly/ShortFil...
About Short Film Showcase:
A curated collection of the most captivating documentary shorts from filmmakers around the world. See more from National Geographic's Short Film Showcase at documentary.com
Get More National Geographic:
Official Site: bit.ly/NatGeoOf...
Facebook: bit.ly/FBNatGeo
Twitter: bit.ly/NatGeoTw...
Instagram: bit.ly/NatGeoInsta
About National Geographic:
National Geographic is the world's premium destination for science, exploration, and adventure. Through their world-class scientists, photographers, journalists, and filmmakers, Nat Geo gets you closer to the stories that matter and past the edge of what's possible.
Leap Into the Canary Islands’ Epic Folk Sport | Short Film Showcase
• Leap Into the Canary I...
National Geographic
/ natgeo

[@swampgas258]

I'm a long-term climber, and some places I've climbed would be much easier using this method. However, I'm guessing it takes a whole new set of muscles.

[@brendboer6026]

it would also take a stick, looks a pain to carry onto the mountain

[@jackg2630]

And that pole doesn’t teleport up to the top of the Hill you gotta carry it

[@JamesTheAxeThrower]

@@brendboer6026 I’m sure you can buy some kind of modern day collapsible one made out of titanium or something so it would fit in your back pack then get it out and extend it when you need it

[@marcusamirite]

A collapsible one sounds great, collapses right into itself as soon as it hits the ground

[@negativeiq9383]

@@JamesTheAxeThrower nope

[@mrvalentino7460]

As a descendant of Islanders, grandparents from 🇵🇷and great grandparents from Canarias, this documentary touches deeply my heart and I would love to visit the Islands and learn to travel the mountains with this amazing skill and practice. Certainly our 🇵🇷accent came from southern Spain and Canarias. We speak quick, get to the point, we conserve energy and say more with less, we cut syllables and sounds lovely, the difference we don’t speak the S ... love my heritage! Thank you for sharing!

[@rusO_16]

Hola amigo, saludos. Los canarios tenemos una forma peculiar de pronunciar las S, y es que las "aspiramos" (excepto en la isla del hierro y zonas de La Palma), por lo que es vez de decir "cosquillas", por ejemplo, decimos "cogquillah"

[@badcornflakes6374]

My parents are from Puerto Rico so I have more of a connection

[@bofa722]

​@@badcornflakes6374 i am from the island so I have more of a connection

[@cirilius5035]

Orgulloso de mis islas y nuestras costumbres... mi vida, mi tierra

[@InvntdXNEWROMAN]

I used to do this while hiking as a kid in Red Rock Canyon. Never slid down as I generally never had a way to remove the bark from the branches I'd find but vaulting over inaccessible areas and giving my mom heart attacks doing it was the best.

[@charlieinfinite9434]

Same here - and in the same place! You're reminding me I need to get back to that stuff. I really miss those adventures.

[@WillyQComic]

This is amazing, their Island Spanish accents sound Cubanesque, I always wondered why we never sounded like the Spaniards from the main Island. My Great Grandfather was from there.

[@spx0]

Jamaica had around 8000 people from the Canary Islands when they where attacked by the English , many of them went to Cuba , 8000 was a lot of people for the time. Saludos

[@EricArts]

I lived in Tenerife for 2 years. A beautiful place! :) In school we learned about this and many other sports that people in Spain/Canary Islands practice.

[@pastelgames3609]

Yes that is true

[@venujanarul4690]

i was in tenerife last year, what a beutiful place

[@pericodelospalotes5738]

I worked one year in Tenerife but I'm Spaniard from the north, near the French border. Beautiful island with a privileged weather.

[@grarglejobber7941]

liar lmao

[@EricArts]

@@grarglejobber7941 ?

[@cristobalgarcia7168]

CANARIAS MI TIERRA LO MAS BONITO DEL MUNDO 😃👍🇮🇨🇮🇨🇮🇨

[@sergiodelablanca9840]

Después de Asturias 🥴

[@darkhands5416]

@@sergiodelablanca9840 Canarias >>>> asturias... mejor clima, mejores playas, mayor montaña de europa, mejor parque acuatico del mundo, gente mas abierta que en la península, sorry amigo pero canarias siempre!

[@mailmaker1523]

I first heard about Salto del Pastor earlier today, but the mountain climbing aspects of it remind me of medieval/renaissance artist's depictions of chamois hunters in the Alps who also used sticks for climbing... in the context of experimental archaeology and living history I have been researching and recreating equipment used by chamois hunters in the Alps in the 1500's, as well as experimenting with practical use of the equipment, especially their "mountain shaft"... so suddenly today I find that other people still do this, and now I have a new favorite sport! Now I need more practice so I am as graceful at it as they are.

[@Hyperlooper]

That's super interesting. Would love to hear what you have learned so far. I would totally get into this.

[@calcetinsudado]

Maravilloso, genial que indaguen en nuestra cultura y que se conozca más allá del fenómeno turístico superficial de las islas.

[@Mr8063]

Remembers me of my childhood. I was born and brought up in a very tiny village of India with a little access to TV that time. Me and my friends used to play with the stick like these guys do. One the mountains, and on the flat lands. We never saw it on TV or nobody tought us then.

[@mitkolz8574]

I met Gregorio a couple years ago, very nice guy :)

[@asrawasitgets2194]

My abuela is from here.. God bless her soul🙏🏽

[@evrettej]

I did this growing up around mountains. Sometimes that stick is really useful when navigating down mountains where you would get too much speed going down if you were to travel by foot!

[@Carlos-ok4xl]

No vengan

[@azxzn]

So cool that Miriam and Gregor were using salto del pastor as a way to reach rare plants and remove invasive weeds from the hard to reach places in the hills/mountains!

[@StuffandThings_]

Between this and Silbo Gomero I'm convinced that the inhabitants of the canary islands are the closest humanity will come to birds.

[@JotaGC]

What does this have to do with birds? Hahahah

[@StuffandThings_]

@@JotaGC The leaping around high places just reminded me of birds. IDK why, it just has that vibe.

[@MrRalf2009]

@@JotaGC Silbo Gomero means "Whistle from La Gomera". It kinda reminds the birds ^^

[@JotaGC]

@@MrRalf2009 I'm Canarian myself. Silbo gomero might have a pass but I don't see the connection between el salto del pastor and birds hahah

[@JotaGC]

@macaco860 Jesus, that's corny and nationalistic af. I've never ever heard of us being compared to birds lmao

[@snowcloudshinobi]

what a beautiful town and landscape!

[@sidgordon8492]

lol I did this all over our house growing up as a kid, running up the wall onto the roof, even slipped once and fell through a window, 21 stitches later I was doing it again. it's a fun feeling 😀

[@kiliangarciafuentes8503]

Orgullo canario gracias por este documental y q conoscan nuestra tradicciones

[@maurondelfald9380]

Guauuuuu, increíble!!! Muy bueno,. Cuántas cosas casi perdidas que son formidables.

[@dafyddil]

I'm trying to move there next year. I'd love to learn this!

[@borjarodriguez9588]

We will wait just here!!!!

[@theothersidenumber9307]

@@borjarodriguez9588 I'm down to eat mushrooms and freestyle with those sticks down the mountain with go pros hit me up .

[@dafyddil]

@@theothersidenumber9307 be careful 😂

[@RyanAlexanderBloom]

As a former collegiate pole vaulter, I approve any use of a pole for transportation. Vertical, horizontal or otherwise.

[@robertoenrique3162]

Los canarios en Cuba tienen fama de honestos , fuertes y laboriosos

[@monke_penguin]

Gracias hermano ❤️

[@houseofyezod8375]

Reminds me of the movie Tremors lol Beautiful tradition in such a beautiful place

[@alexanderkonle]

This is so peaceful

[@ferdianeary822]

What’s lovely short documentary. Thank you. I lived in the islands for a wee bit and loved hearing the accent and learning about the culture. I miss those islands

[@afandou1966]

All mountain sheperds are using it! Crete too.

[@archipielagoi.c]

CANARIAS 🇮🇨

[@MichaelSnyder1776]

I like how his tiny village is too much commotion. Should see what he thinks of times square 😂

[@bigdadynickable]

Beautiful.

[@Scientist_Albert_Einstein]

As a kid I remember using this technique without anyone showing it to me. In the fields of Mexico in the small thown I grew up there are so many branches, logs, and sometimes metal pipes that are unused. I would use them to skip small to medium size stones like the elderly guy showed in the thumbnail of this video. I never use it for mountains since we did not have mountains. For me as a kid it was just play, it is all about balancing your body with the pole. I felt like I was flying when I was a kid, it feels AMAZING!

[@Megadextrious]

This is so beautiful, what a genius idea!

[@kobaltocr6927]

Saludos a los Canarios desde Costa Rica esto es algo que quiero intentar despues de ver el video. Viva el salto del pastor! Pregunta que tipo de madera utilizan para la elaboración de la lanza?

[@gonzagdi]

Se utiliza pino canario, pero cualquier madera ligera y resistente podrìa valerte (eucalipto, almendrero, etc...)

[@actionmarco8556]

Me and friends have used this to get over little streams and such in Germany. We didn't have such a cool stick though

[@woutkoopman]

The Dutch do it too where it's called fierljeppen, only they jump over canals and rivers due to an absence of mountains.

[@pericodelospalotes5738]

Yes, it's an absolutely flat country, a paradise for bicycles. You can't ride them here in Spain so nicely because you find hills everywhere, even in cities.

[@woutkoopman]

@@pericodelospalotes5738 I actually live in Spain (Tenerife) since a few years, and being from the Netherlands I brought my bicycle. Big mistake. The hills are not the problem, but the lack of bicycle paths and car drivers that hate you makes it very difficult. After being hit by cars twice, the last time ending in the hospital I bought a motorcycle. Much safer. But I love the mountains, much better than the Netherlands

[@kani7646]

@@pericodelospalotes5738 everywhere has downsides, because its so flat wind sweeps over the entire country making it very heavy to get around

[@m007mm]

In the Netherlands the farmers etc used to do this to jump over canals. Now it's a sport. You people should come to the Netherlands, we can have an international match! 🔥 😊

[@liviosterla9129]

Spettacolare!

[@ranua9327]

and after this, let's go to the Silbo Gomero chapter 😄

[@rbnnanga7897]

Qué grandes!!!

[@TomCanary]

Que maravilla de documento

[@ydela1961]

Didn't we all play this kind of game when we were children? They just perfected the technique as adults, but I think we all more or less did or tried this, right?

[@philipm3173]

I sure did

[@eddowney3316]

No

[@markus129]

Perfectionate jump with a stick is one thing and climb walls with it i think is quite different.. "stick concept" i give you that

[@paulhomsy2751]

Very unique and impressive.

[@Larrypint]

This technique was also used in Austria and Swiss 100 years ago.

[@guzmangil5476]

Acabo de descubrir lo tan parecido que es el acento canario a muchos pueblos latinoamericanos.

[@judithmallorquinhernandez5671]

Sí, se parece bastante 😊

[@melaniaabrante6998]

Es por las grandes migraciones que hubieron de canarios a latinoamerica. Por esto Venezuela es llamada la octava isla, ya que muchos de nuestros padres y abuelos se fueron allí en busca de un futuro mejor

[@nonsacrvm611]

Que padre!

[@yellowlightingbolt]

Interesting, I see similarities to the pole canal jumping in the Netherlands, used by farmers to move across canals without having to look for or building bridges.

[@kenwrickwairagu]

We used to do that in the country side in Kenya when we were young.

[@sahamakhirat304]

WOW! anyone knows where can we get the "Salto del Pastor" stick? any link for online store available?

[@f.d.6667]

Cool. Interestingly, the shepherds on the Faroe Islands are using the same technique!

[@theothersidenumber9307]

I skate in America and snowboard . I would definitely be doin that whenever I get there . Nice...♡

[@hectorhernandez-uu3gw]

02:18 el Brayan: ésta información vale millones... Literal.

[@jaimehernandez-lm8wf]

jajajajaja... buscándole aplicaciones..!

[@davidcampocosio1559]

Que bonito,muy parecido es el salto pasiego cantabro

[@ICGedye]

Fantstic!

[@frozeneternity93]

This was really fascinating

[@G8oo8N8]

This is amazing i want one..

[@kiliangarciafuentes8503]

Canary islan el paraíso

[@israelcortez8801]

Thanks guy in comment section of KZbin short

[@DutchFurnace]

Here in the Netherlands the Frisians do "fierljeppen". Which is using a large stick to cross ditches in between farmfields. Although it has turned into a sport, and the distances they jump now would be impractical in the field.

[@pequenosaltamontes2004]

Gran Canaria

[@_Solaris]

This is freaking cool. I will start this practice immediately.

[@peterleffler2062]

Hahaha - I bet you dont!😉

[@txtxtxtxtx5835]

Si cierras los ojos tiene la voz de alguien de 20 años.

[@kotastrophie]

Old gen transportation. Should be next gen transportation

[@pauljohnson5190]

Aamen to the first guy !

[@CupOjoePK]

would so watch a full documentary on this.

[@donlimonesioyt9644]

Canary Islands 🇮🇨

[@PossumMedic]

Amazing! Thank you! :)

[@b.vonschnauser207]

Cool. Looks like a good workout too.

[@jamescairney.]

I want to try this.

[@rabbidjeremy9193]

Neat!

[@agenpertin7439]

What a life ❤️ what wood the stick is made of?

[@SoldierDrew]

Este palo de madera, normalmente hecho de pino canario (Pinus canariensis) se ensancha en la parte inferior, donde está la punta metálica, llamada regatón, que se utiliza para clavarlo en el terreno

[@randomdutchguy]

Fierljeppen........is this to the extreme

[@photopawn37]

Red Bull should see this

[@ya_casi]

Beautiful docuentary ¡good job! pd: i like the spanish (i'm from Costa Rica)

[@slendykidslenderkid3185]

I'd like to see these used in movies

[@brothershamus1160]

What kid wouldn’t wanna learn this??!

[@noahlangford6758]

What is the name of this sport? So neat!

[@rebeccagutierrez1960]

The people of the Canary Island sound so much like the way we Puerto Ricans speak on the island of Puerto Rico and by the way many of our people in Puerto Rican had ancestors from the Canary islands.

[@joecarnegy8978]

I use a stick exactly like this.. except it has a small hook on the end so I can hook and drag the pizza box closer to me without having to get out of my lazy-boy chair.

[@ane6302]

Gostaria de aprender me paresse super interessante e divertido

[@kei6955]

No solo un deporte es una herramienta

[@theothersidenumber9307]

That's just like skating.

[@wkreng]

In The Netherlands in the province of Friesland they used poles to cross the small water ways it is called "Fierljeppen"

[@KillaDeejay]

As soon as I seen this, I immediately wondered if there's a way to engineer a pole with a spring system handle...something like a big pogo stick for landing.

[@vondahe]

Does anyone know what the music is which starts at 1:37? I really like it. Thanks in advance.

[@dupermond5313]

La vie cajun, enjoy

[@Caracolenpaz]

Yo lo he hecho porque sí en caminatas montañescas.

[@homeclaro]

Menos mal que ponen subtitulos😂😂

[@metoo8054]

No es nada especial ... simplemente un gran bastón.

[@sphynxmaine]

Has anyone ever thought about this as a kid? But I never knew this was a thing until recently...

[@BigChap117]

We Puerto Ricans got our accent from Canarians for sure

[@MrJavier1790]

Si, por supuesto.

[@hajihajihaji69]

Donatello over here

[@theothersidenumber9307]

Any body seen the cactus what pristine.

[@1.4142]

It's like webslinging but in reverse

[@LK-cc4uj]

I know a pair of fjallraven's when I see em.

[@vianeycedillo1043]

Vamo Salcedo primo

[@gorillajoe999]

I wonder if this could be adapted for hunting

[@teun7923]

5 million !

[@KremitDeFrog]

I've totally been using a hiking stick wrong..

[@ebro-salvaje30]

Los antiguos si que sabían

[@emkdb]

Eso tambien se hacia en Cantabria y Asturias

[@gatitohebreo2906]

En Cantabria es del siglo XVI y esto es precolonial...

[@emkdb]

@@gatitohebreo2906 lo digo porque se dice que es algo único en el mundo de las islas Canarias y no es así

[@theothersidenumber9307]

How did he make that stick. Wow.

[@SoldierDrew]

Este palo de madera, normalmente hecho de pino canario (Pinus canariensis) se ensancha en la parte inferior, donde está la punta metálica, llamada regatón, que se utiliza para clavarlo en el terreno

[@scruffygaming627]

lol awesome. Just fyi, I live in New Zealand, I used to use a stick as a kid to 'pole vault' over things, up things, down things. If you want to give it a name and call it a sport, whatever. I call it using what's around you to assist you.... It's funny how some people get all serious about some things, make them 'traditions' or even a 'sport'. Humans are funny creatures.