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| Sports |
Of the many sports activities pursued throughout the year, three are worthy of special mention for their history and tradition: pelota games, the trainera (fishing rowboats) regattas, and country sports.
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The pelota game: cesta punta
The pelota game, particularly the cesta punta version, has traditionally led young pelotaris (pelota players) from the Lea-Artibai region to the world's most important pelota courts in the world. Of all native Basque sports, cesta is the most international. The sport is so important in this region that the Markina-Xemein pelota court is known among keen pelota players worldwide as the "Pelota University". All year, particularly during the summer season, interesting contests and festivals of this spectacular sport are held on the Markina and Berriatua pelota courts.
http://euskaljaialai.com/euskera/nortzuk.html |
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Regattas
Regattas for traineras (fishing rowboats), trainerillas (little fishing rowboats) and skiffs are a legacy of ancient seaman activity. The regattas are a seaman's sport, and therefore their scenario is the coastal towns of Lekeitio and Ondarroa. Depending on the specialty, the regatta season spans several months in spring and summer.
http://www.ligaact.com/clubes/isuntza/index.php?idioma=euskara |
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Rural Sport
There is hardly a town or village, however small, which does not hold country sport displays and contests during their local festivals. There are many versions of these sports.
In Berriatua, the well-known stone dragging with oxen events take place during the festivals in honour of Saint Peter. Stone dragging is also a great tradition in Markina-Xemein. In Ispaster, horses are also used to drag the stones (Zaldi Mando).
Etxebarria also holds interesting displays of country sports during the town's festivals.
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Cycling
In a different sport context, the Grand Ispaster Cyclocross Award, the San Gregorio Cycling Event in Berriatua, the Sabin Foruria Memorial in Markina-Xemein and Ondarroa's Dinamartxa Biking Tourism March.
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Athletism
The Lea-Artibai region's athlete's calendar includes the Egia-Iriondo Memorial walking contests in Ondarroa, the Ispaster cross, the now classical San Silvestre in Lekeitio, as well as the Duathlon event in Etxebarria and the Triathlon in Lekeitio, where an interesting urban high jump competition has been held in the past few years.
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Swimming
During the summer season, the ocean in Ondarroa and Lekeitio are the scene for two open sea swimming events.
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Mountain excursions
Finally, mention should be made of one of the most deeply-rooted activities in this region: the mountain excursions organised by local clubs: Artibai Mendigoizale Taldea in Markina-Xemein and Aurrera Mendi Taldea in Ondarroa.
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Basque sport
