November represents a time of traditions in the northern region of the island, including the inauguration of wineries, the enjoyment of roasted chestnuts which were hard to come by this year, and the activity of dragging boards and pots through San Andrés, the most anticipated celebration in Icod de los Vinos.
Sliding on a wooden board down the steepest streets of the City of Drago is more than just a tradition for any resident of Icod; it is a skill acquired from childhood that strengthens over the years through shared experiences with family and friends.
The board is considered a valued possession, often passed down from older family members or crafted by them. Consequently, meticulous care is taken of it. Participants never partake alone, as experiencing San Andrés Day in Icod de los Vinos implies enjoying a good glass of wine or beer, along with delicious pinchitos, and an abundance of excitement.
This was evident yesterday when Santiago Hernández Contreras, along with Carmelo ‘El Lincha’ and Omar ‘El Lincha’, the latter being father and son, expressed their solidarity with Valencia by wearing specially designed black t-shirts that read: ‘The people save the people. Icod de los Vinos. Saint Andrew. Valencia Force’. “From Icod we stand with Valencia in their time of need, ‘Long live San Andrés,’ Santiago exclaimed exuberantly, after three of his peers leaped together from a substantial board and landed onto the piles of tires at the end of Antonio González street.
Approximately a hundred spectators gathered there, unwilling to miss the spectacle that attracts thousands to the City of the Drago during the last days of November.
This area, widely referred to as El Plano, was once again the preferred spot for the youth yesterday, being the steepest and consequently, the most perilous. Perhaps that was the reason for the increased number of tires, with 10 tons of the 20 being distributed across various streets in the municipality.
The festivities in the City of the Drago commenced on Thursday with the ceremonial cork-popping event and proceeded yesterday with the dragging of boards, which will persist today. As it was a weekend and with inviting temperatures, significantly warmer than in previous years, the turnout was larger than usual, to the extent that it was nearly impossible to view the daring stunts performed by the bravest participants without bystanders and other onlookers interfering, all eager to capture photos and videos that would eternalise the tumbles and crashes, despite the repeated requests from Civil Protection personnel to remain at the sidelines to avert accidents. This situation also compelled some jumpers to conclude their antics prematurely, filling the air with a strong scent of charred wood.
On Franceses Street, parents and grandparents snapped photos of their little ones, cheering them on to take the leap or even jumping alongside them, while in Hércules, also known for its steep incline, some dismissively overlooked the annual advisories from the local authorities, which include recommendations such as wearing helmets and gloves, refraining from alcohol consumption while participating, and not obstructing the drag.
‘It’s incredibly fast,’ a tourist admitted to a local who invited him to share in the experience. ‘Thank you, thank you very much,’ he replied, extending his hand while scanning the crowd for his companion. Meanwhile, dozens of visitors remained captivated by one of the most remarkable traditions of the Canary Islands.
