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Between the 15th and 25th of August, the patron saint of Lanzarote's Capital Arrecife is celebrated in style. During the daytime, much of the activity is concentrated around the El Charco area itself, where traditional island sports such as Canarian sailing and wrestling are celebrated and a new Miss Lanzarote is elected annually. The whole event then culminates in an impressive fireworks display on the main beach promenade on the night of the 25th.

The Festa de San Gines may seem like the typical southern Mediterranean saintly feast. However, what really sets it apart from the rest is the Juego del Palo, which translates literally as 'game of the stick', and is practised in the 10 days of the feast. The game is basically a form of combat with long, thin wooden staves. Similar to other martial arts, there are numerous different fighting styles, often named after the families who developed them or indigenous animals, such as the Estilo Conejero or 'rabbit style' favoured by Lanzarotenos.

This form of combat dates back to the Guanche inhabitants of the Canaries prior to the Spanish's arrival to the islands. These former Saharan nomads settled on the islands in the first millennium BC and established a reputation as both excellent shepherds and skilled warriors.

Following the invasion of the Canaries, the use of sticks was banned by the Spanish, forcing the practice of stick fighting underground. For centuries, it remained a rural tradition, becoming an integral part of Canarian culture. Farmers would settle disputes or defend their property with the stick. Young men would fight over women. Parties could even end in stick-fights. In fact the practice became so engrained that it was even banned for a second time. This time by General Franco during the Spanish Civil War. Once again Juego del Palo was forced underground - only enjoying a renaissance in the 1970's as the Dictators grip weakened.

This resurgence in interest emanated from Tenerife, orchestrated by a recognized fighting master Tomas Deniz, who founded numerous schools across the islands. Interest is such that there is even now a University del Palo Canario in La Laguna, Tenerife.

Why not immerse yourself this summer in an ancient and diverting sport such as the Juego del Palo? Take a class at the University in Tenerife or just watch on in delight during the Festa de San Gines in Arrecife. Flythomascook operates regular flights to Lanzarote from several UK airports.