Pictured: The daring Canary Islands' folk sport 'shepherd's leap'

Not for the sheepish: The daring Canary Islands folk sport known as the ‘shepherd’s leap’, with enthusiasts pole-jumping down sharp cliffs and rocky terrain

• Traditionally known as Salto del pastor, shepherd’s leap has been practiced for centuries in the Canaries 
• Participants use a lance, also known as a regaton, and different hand positions to traverse hills and cliffs 
• The folk sport is due to be showcased in a documentary at the London Mountain Film Festival in May 

The steep hills, sharp cliffs and rocky terrain of the volcanic Canary Islands are tricky to negotiate at speed. But not for enthusiasts of the indigenous folk sport known as Salto del pastor, or ‘shepherd’s leap’.

They speed up journeys across uneven terrain by pole-vaulting across it using a wooden stick or lance.

The folk sport and hobby is due to be internationally recognised at the upcoming London Mountain Film Festival, with the addition of documentary Jurria: Guardianes del Garrote to the festival’s official line-up. This 35-minute film, shot entirely in Gran Canaria, tells the story of ‘Maestro Paco’ and his passion for the traditional Shepherd’s Leap.

In the sport of Salto del pastor, or ‘shepherd’s leap’, daring participants pole-vault across sharp cliffs and rocky terrain using a wooden stick or lance. Pictured is Aday Medina Ramirez vaulting 

The hand positions, aka manas, are key to the shepherd’s leap sport and participants have to learn various grips depending on whether they want to descend, climb or brake

In this shot, shepherd’s leap experts prepare to carry out a move called salto a regaton muerto, or the ‘dead spike jump’, which is one of the most challenging actions in the sport. They pick a spot without placing the pole down – and take a leap of faith

The Salto del pastor was not always a sport. It was simply a convenient way for shepherds to traverse the terrain where they kept their flock

The jumping or leaping of the Canarian shepherd involves them sticking the end of the lance (or regaton) into the ground and adopting different hand or body positions. 

These hand positions, called manas, vary depending on whether the participant wants to descend, climb or brake.

One of the most challenging moves is called the salto a regaton muerto, or the ‘dead spike jump’. In this move, participants aim to jump a length that’s longer than the lance. So, instead of spiking it into the ground before jumping, they aim it at the spot they wish to spike and take a leap of faith.

The Salto del pastor was not always a sport. It was simply a convenient way for shepherds to traverse the terrain where they kept their flock.

The tagline for the Jurria: Guardianes del Garrote documentary explains: ‘It wasn’t a sport, it was a necessity.’

The synopsis, meanwhile, says: ‘When you are obligated to care for your flock, you are obligated to live on the brink.’

In the 1990s, the practice of shepherd’s leap was at risk of dying out in The Canary Islands, so a number of collectives, known as the jurrias, were formed and an effort was made to prevent it from disappearing all together

Today, shepherd’s leap is practiced as a hobby by enthusiasts and according to the President of the Canary Island’s Salto del Pastor Federation, Juan Aleman, the Covid-19 pandemic has encouraged more people to pick up the sport

In the 1990s, the practice of shepherd’s leap was at risk of dying out in The Canary Islands. So, a number of collectives, known as the jurrias, were formed and an effort was made to prevent it from disappearing all together.

Today, it’s practiced as a hobby by enthusiasts and according to the President of the Canary Island’s Salto del Pastor Federation, Juan Aleman, the Covid-19 pandemic has encouraged more people to pick up the sport.

Aleman said: ‘With the pandemic, the number of people who have joined the federation has increased. I believe that the desire for freedom was so great that more people were encouraged to go to the cliffs.’

Shepherd’s leap expert Aday Medina Ramírez (pictured) is one of the stars of the Jurria: Guardianes del Garrote documentary, which is being screened as part of the London Mountain Film Festival

Pictured is Ceferino García Sarmiento, one of the cast members of the Jurria: Guardianes del Garrote documentary, which tells the story of ‘Maestro Paco’ and his passion for the traditional shepherd’s leap

Pictured is Bonifacio Francisco Garcia Lopez, aka Maestro Paco, the man who inspired the Jurria: Guardianes del Garrote documentary. He started shepherding when he was eight years old

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