14th Petranboard Ski Festival was held in Rize

Approximately 2,000 people attended the festival, which was organized by the Petran Culture, Solidarity and Solidarity Association with the contributions of the İkizdere District Governor’s Office on the Petran Plateau at an altitude of 2,200.

In the festival, the participants came to the track in the plateau to ski with the boards called “petranboard” or “lazboard” in the region. Citizens who tried first, then experienced the pleasure of sliding in the snow. It was observed that some participants fell, unable to maintain their balance.

[Fotoğraf: AA]

In the festival, where local and foreign tourists enjoyed the snow by lighting barbecue and playing horon, some of them tried to skate with plastic bags.

Various competitions were organized at the events, and gifts were given to the winners.

[Fotoğraf: AA]

Esra Alemdaroğlu, Director of Rize Culture and Tourism, said that the grime board, which is called “petranboard” today, has been a means of transportation that has made life easier in the region for many years.

[Fotoğraf: AA]

Alemdaroğlu stated that the ancestor of snowboard in the Black Sea was petranboard.

“Traditionally, participation is increasing every year. We promote our culture. Petranboard has been turned into a fun activity. It has become a very important event for the promotion of our valleys in winter.”

[Alemdaroğlu]

Mehmet Kurt, on the other hand, said that he is 60 years old, that he has lived in the region since he was 5 years old and that he skated with wood.

The saddling board, which is called “petranboard” by the local people due to the harsh natural conditions, was used as a means of transportation by the local residents 200-250 years ago after heavy snowfall on steep slopes.

[Alemdaroğlu]

The people of the village were reaching their destination by sliding on the snow with the raising boards made of 30 centimeters wide and 160-190 centimeters long by combining the boards obtained from the pine tree.

[Alemdaroğlu]

Straw boards began to be used for entertainment purposes after the ease of transportation.