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ron.c
Joined: 30 Oct 2004 Posts: 1460
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Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2012 5:21 pm Post subject: women |
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A Rambling praise of Women in the sport
We need to praise all women who get involved here because overwhelmingly, the women I’ve met along the way, in our sport(s), are more grounded and even tempered than the rest of us useless sad sacks.
Last week I mentioned a housewife who got into SUP’g. She got into it from another woman who I got hooked about 2 years ago. Housewife or women #1 got hooked in one session, almost the same day she learned of having stage 4 cancer. Since that day we (she and I) have had some great sessions. One last time last year she was complaining about a wave (small) session were she only got 6 rides. My response was wtf, that was 6 more than ever before. A few weeks ago #1 and I did a clockwise circumnavigation around Nauset inlet. She was so confident in her skills; she did it in street clothes. #1 and #2 are frequently getting together for flat water sessions. JJ or #1 was so bummed out she couldn’t do a down winder 2 weekends ago; she walked her dogs along the shore to catch a glimpse of us passing by. That night she called up and said that the next one needs to be a co-ed session.
Speaking of boards in general, our little home-town surf break is ruled by a women. She’s earned that position, in my mind, as she is better than most and goes out the conditions bigger than most too.
I would have posted my thoughts sooner as Women #2 and I were out last night volunteering for a youth activities group. Then busy at home doing a sink full of dishes as my wife was busy teaching AP Calc to my daughter, who’s a surfer, and her friend.
My wife is not much of a sailor or surfer, but she did impress me last summer, at 50, dropping in on a wave that was solid chest high to her.
RC
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isobars
Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935
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Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2012 5:33 pm Post subject: |
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I've always gotten a kick out of seeing 110# wimmin driving up alone, rigging up as fast as they can, and making 30 knots with gale force gusts and head-high swell look easy. This is a muscle sport only if one wants it to be.
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dllee
Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5328 Location: East Bay
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Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2012 5:39 pm Post subject: |
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My g/f just received a new Gaastra7.5GTX and Chinook Carbon Slalom boom by Fed Ex care of MattPritchard.
And her new Starboard Formula is scheduled to arrive a week after we get back from PuertoRico.
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SuzieQ
Joined: 04 May 2000 Posts: 98
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Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2012 9:18 pm Post subject: |
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I have always said that behind every goodfemale sailor, there is a supportive male. Altho this may seem anti-feminine, the truth of the matter is that windsurfing equipment can be confusing and too technical to the average woman. Fixing dings on boards, replacing worn out finstraps, repairing rock-scraped fins and all the other technical stuff, can be very intimidating.So for all my friends, my husband, buddies, and fellow sailors who have helped me, thanks! And for those of you who are helping women stay in the sport, carry on! It's a whole lot more exciting to see both sexes out on the water, and on the beach!
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jingebritsen
Joined: 21 Aug 2002 Posts: 3371
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boardsurfr
Joined: 23 Aug 2001 Posts: 1266
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Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 9:42 am Post subject: |
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jingebritsen wrote: | heard that before. wonder if it's nature or nurture. the latter, methinks. |
Agreed. My lovely windsurfing wife often asks for help with computer stuff, simply because she's used to it. There were always plenty of "helpful" guys around when she was in college. But when it comes to windsurfing, she won't let me touch her gear anymore, except maybe to take it out of the van. Perhaps I encouraged her a bit to do her own stuff once she got seriously addicted, or maybe she is just convinced she can do it better. Either way is fine with me
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lasrer
Joined: 15 May 2000 Posts: 113
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Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 11:41 am Post subject: |
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And then there are the wonderful women, like my wife Jean, who although she doesn't sail, supports my habit in full.
She understands the unpredictable timing of it and it patient with all the gear around.
She was glad it wasnt windy when we got married 22 years ago, so my friends would show up.
Iceratz was there!
ed
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isobars
Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935
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Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 12:45 pm Post subject: |
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My wife gets up with me at 3:30 AM before all the big Gorge swap meets 150 miles away, fixes a big breakfast, drives me to them while I prepare shopping and For Sale lists, then markets my For Sale stuff while I shop for my Wish List stuff. She didn't bat an eye when I bought five boards at one swap meet (four of them no-brainer winners not even counting their nickels-on-the-dollar prices), and asks me every year or so if it isn't about time for a new quiver of sails. Birthdays, anniversaries, social activities, holidays, leaky roof, flat tire ... none of that matters if it might get windy, even though she gave up windsurfing decades ago.
That's just one of the many reasons we're at 43 years and counting.
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d0uglass
Joined: 28 May 2004 Posts: 1286 Location: Bonita Springs, Florida
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Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 11:24 am Post subject: |
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Yeah, women who windsurf and SUP are seriously awesome.
For men, obsessing about technical toys and individual sports and games, while putting social and work obligations on the back burner, is expected- even encouraged. For women, not so much.
Any time someone seizes the joy of windsurfing it's a victory, but when a woman does it it's an extra badass victory against the expectations.
_________________ James' Blog: Windsurfing Equipment Size Calculator
http://jimbodouglass.blogspot.com/2010/11/updated-windsurf-calculator-online.html |
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Ugly_Bird
Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 335
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