Izaskun Arruti, president of the Gipuzkoa Rural Sports Federation, highlighted that "although Gipuzkoa has historically been a major reference point for scything, the generational relay is currently one of the discipline's main challenges." According to Arruti, this activity, built around the farmhouse and the land, must adapt to societal changes, making it essential to seek new ways to reach young people.
It is within this context that the "Sega Gazte Ibilbidea" has been created. The federation's goal is not merely to organize a new competition, but to offer young people an opportunity to enter the world of scything, integrating technical training, safety, and the values of rural sports.
The Gipuzkoa Provincial Council has positively assessed the initiative. In the words of Roberto Ramajo, Director General of Sports, the project aligns from the outset with the values that the Council champions regarding the promotion of sports, community, and new generations. "It is particularly important to identify the challenges faced by a sports modality and, in response, begin to build future solutions," he stated.
The program is aimed at young people born between 2009 and 2013, and will combine theoretical training sessions, meadow preparation workshops, and practical scything sessions. Furthermore, it will promote interaction between different generations, allowing young participants to gain direct insight into the experiences of current scythers and sports stakeholders.
In this inaugural edition, eight young individuals have registered, all from the Gaztelu scything school. The federation believes that the interest and commitment shown by the participants are more significant than the number itself, as they represent the future generation of scythers.
“"Scything is more than a sport; it is part of our culture, history, and community. Through this initiative, beyond teaching the technique, we aim to transmit effort, respect, teamwork, and a connection to our heritage."
The first session was held at the Sports House in Donostia for the project's presentation. Subsequent sessions will take place in Alegia (in the area between Ezkio-Itsaso, Gabiria, and Ormaiztegi) and at the Bulano farmhouse in Asteasu. The "Sega Gazte Ibilbidea" is being launched as a pilot project, but the federation intends to stabilize it in the future and develop it into an annual training pathway.
