DESCRIPTION

DEFINITION

Woodcutting is to cut a certain amount of trunks of a given diameter with a hatchet or an axe.

ORIGIN

This sport has its origins in the farmers work. Its origin is found in the wood-cutter's and charcoal burner's daily activity.

STYLES

Normally the aizkolaris, who compete individually or in pairs, stand on the trunk sections but there are variations where they have to chop a vertical tree from the top called zutiko enborra or "upright trunk".

There is another variation combining the chopping competition with a race.

HOW TO PLAY

The trunks that a woodcutter must cut are placed in line. Once he has finished cutting the first trunk he has to go for the second one and in this way he has to continue until all the trunks have been cut.

The competitions are usually an individual race for the finish but occasionally they are done txandetan, in relays, where two aizkolaris form a team and relieve the other once a trunk has been cut.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

The only materials needed for woodcutting are easy but not simple. You only need trunks and axes.

BASQUE WOODCUTTERS

Angel Arrospide, Joxe Mari Olazagasti, Mindegia, Traditionally a male dominated sport, women have begun to take part in aizkolari competitions Itziar Goenaga, Kristina Saralegi and Maika Ariztegi…

CHAMPIONSHIPS

Urrezko Aizkora, the "golden axe", Donostiako Urrezko Kopako ("gold cup of San Sebastián"), the Euskal Herriko Lehen Maila ("premier league of the Basque Country")…