Riding the 'tablas' in Icod de Los Vinos.wmv

The practice of riding the boards commemorates practices from the late 17th and early 18th century when wine was transported down from the bodegas (vineyards) in the upper valley on sledges pulled by bullocks.
Said to emulate the sound of the wine barrels being driven down the streets, the youth (and as the evening wears on, the inebriated) hurtle down streets so steep they ought to issue crampons to visitors, on wooden boards known as 'tablas'. The tablas are small boards or trays which are greased and which the youths ride like toboggans. Lacking any kind of discernible braking system other than gloved palms, the tablas crash stop into a mountain of old tyres placed at the bottom of the street. Riders then lift up their steeds and hoof it back to the top of the hill to begin again.

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Travel & Events

Tags:

• San Andrés
• riding the boards
• riding the tablas
• Icod de los Vinos
• extreme sports
• mad traditions
• speed
• danger
• Jackass
• Action Extreme Sport Winter