Basque Sports - bring your boulder

How many people do you know who keep a 220 pound granite boulder in the back of their truck? Tom Davidson of Sparks uses his for weightlifting. He jokingly calls it “Fred Flintstone’s Bowflex.” This isn’t a new trend in weightlifting. Actually, it’s a centuries old Basque sport.

Davidson demonstrated the tradition for the Reno Zazpiak Bat Basque Festival held Saturday in Wingfield Park. He put the stone down and heaved it back up to his shoulders five times. Strength, endurance and hard work are Basque values.

Even though Davidson isn’t Basque, the local community has welcomed him with open arms. People have asked Davidson why the boulder means so much to him.

“I think many of the traditions have lasted so long because they work so well,” Davidson said. “I’ve been going to the (Basque) parties for a long time and the men don’t feel the need to have friction. If you want to be a tough guy, have an outlet. Go pack the weight.”

The toting of the texianga is another test of athleticism. The men carry 208 pounds as far as they can, while the women carry 150 pounds. Steve Bennett said most who have never done the event assume it’s a test of upper body strength, but it’s also a test of endurance. He said legs will give out before the arms do.

But finger grip can also be a weakness. Joe Grissino carried the texianga for 393 feet before his fingers couldn’t hold the weight. He took second place.

“That’s harder than I thought,” Grissino said, “My fingers, that’s what gave out, but you feel it in every part of your body.”

But perhaps the most foolhardy sport is Basque wood chopping. The would-be woodsman stands on top of the log and swings the axe between his feet to hack the lumber in half.

Christophe Alfaro from San Francisco, Juan Brana of Reno and his daughter Stephanie chiseled their way through a series of logs on stage. Stephanie had the announcer plug gender equity while her axe soared through the air.

At the end of the competition, several small children ran on stage to collect the wood chips strewn about the stage including 11-year-old Izabella Deguero. She asked her Basque grandmother, “Do we have an axe at home? Most girls can’t do that. I want to practice.”

More than 200 people came from all over Nevada and California to attend the event. Reno Zazpiak Bat Basque Club Member Andie Swanson attributes the attendance to the good nature of the Basque.

“You’ll always have a friend when you come here,” Swanson said. “I always have a good time.”