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General Gps & Speed Waves Foiling Gear Reviews Lost & Found WA NSW QLD SA VIC TAS

ka72

QLD

585 posts

ka72

QLD, 585 posts

16 Aug 2007 2:34pm

Just checking out the windwanderers site and found that the club has been looking at ways to encourage more women.

I liked these two ideas:

# A day when the husbands look after the kids and the girls windsurf or learn to windsurf.
# Some form of child minding at the meet

Great suggestion guys.
I would love to get on the water more but find it really hard now with 2 kids.
Anyone else out there have any suggestions for mums to get more time on the water?

NotWal

QLD

7436 posts

NotWal

QLD, 7436 posts

16 Aug 2007 2:48pm

Yeah Kel, you and D take one each sailing in a papoose pouch. Or can't you go 1 hour on 1 hour off sailing/child minding with D? Of course you could rent the kids out for the day to a lonely old paedophile, or send them to boarding school, or leave them with Justin. He's not a paedophile but he's very obliging.

divaldo

2878 posts

divaldo

SA, 2878 posts

16 Aug 2007 2:24pm

Or you could marry a mad windsurfer like me and take it in turns looking after the junior!

We just fight as to who goes first! paper scissors rock?

MikeyS

VIC

1509 posts

MikeyS

VIC, 1509 posts

16 Aug 2007 3:08pm

quote:
Originally posted by divaldo

Or you could marry a mad windsurfer like me and take it in turns looking after the junior!

We just fight as to who goes first! paper scissors rock?

Divaldo, I'm sure you are a lovely guy, but I don't think I could bring myself to marry a mad windsurfer like you.

Windsurfing instructors that look like Brad Pitt, Jamie Durie or whatever gets the women... all... you know (geez, I dunno what women want!?) might get them keen.

divaldo

2878 posts

divaldo

SA, 2878 posts

16 Aug 2007 2:41pm

quote:
Originally posted by MikeyS

quote:
Originally posted by divaldo

Or you could marry a mad windsurfer like me and take it in turns looking after the junior!

We just fight as to who goes first! paper scissors rock?

Divaldo, I'm sure you are a lovely guy, but I don't think I could bring myself to marry a mad windsurfer like you.

Windsurfing instructors that look like Brad Pitt, Jamie Durie or whatever gets the women... all... you know (geez, I dunno what women want!?) might get them keen.

I am confident you misunderstood me.....

MikeyS

VIC

1509 posts

MikeyS

VIC, 1509 posts

16 Aug 2007 3:42pm

quote:

I am confident you misunderstood me.....

LOL

surfinchick

251 posts

surfinchick

251 posts

16 Aug 2007 9:11pm

The kids are the only thing stopping me getting out on the water more often.

A day when husbands look after the kids is great......if you have a husband!!!!!!!

Anyone got a husband I can borrow to take my brats away?

Seriously, I think some form of child minding at the meet would be the way to go. I imagine that it wouldn't be anything too formal. Depending on the number of kids and ages, we could just work out who's got their eye on which kids while the mums are sailing.

If there are any other SEQld women/single parents out there who would like to get together for a sail, other than a Windwanderers meet, and take turns with the kids on the shore, please drop me a line.

I say, bring on the Jamie Durie look-alike instructor !!!!!!!!!

decrepit

12872 posts

decrepit

WA, 12872 posts

16 Aug 2007 9:28pm

Anybody got a spare Jamie Drury mask??? (whoever he is)

Dizzy

6 posts

Dizzy

WA, 6 posts

16 Aug 2007 9:57pm

Yep, I'm in!! Bring on the Brad Pitt look alikes and i'll give it a go!

Arlo

139 posts

Arlo

SA, 139 posts

17 Aug 2007 12:48am

quote:
Originally posted by divaldo

Or you could marry a mad windsurfer like me and take it in turns looking after the junior!

We just fight as to who goes first! paper scissors rock?

Ditto but without the junior

And I am confident she looks nothing like you, and definitely not like me!

MikeyS

VIC

1509 posts

MikeyS

VIC, 1509 posts

17 Aug 2007 10:26am

quote:
Originally posted by decrepit

Anybody got a spare Jamie Drury mask??? (whoever he is)

I think you might need the Jamie Durie body suit also. He's not so tall but dark and handsome guy who does "Backyard Blitz", used to be in Manpower, probabably windsurfs, kites, and saves cute puppies from burning trees.

grumplestiltskin

2331 posts

grumplestiltskin

WA, 2331 posts

17 Aug 2007 9:16am

quote:
Originally posted by MikeyS

quote:
Originally posted by decrepit

Anybody got a spare Jamie Drury mask??? (whoever he is)

I think you might need the Jamie Durie body suit also. He's not so tall but dark and handsome guy who does "Backyard Blitz", used to be in Manpower, probabably windsurfs, kites, and saves cute puppies from burning trees.

Jeez sounds exactly like me, except for the dark, handsome, kites, saves cute puppies thing.

Did burn a tree once tho

555

892 posts

555

892 posts

17 Aug 2007 10:13am

quote:
Originally posted by grumplestiltskin

quote:
Originally posted by MikeyS

quote:
Originally posted by decrepit

Anybody got a spare Jamie Drury mask??? (whoever he is)

I think you might need the Jamie Durie body suit also. He's not so tall but dark and handsome guy who does "Backyard Blitz", used to be in Manpower, probabably windsurfs, kites, and saves cute puppies from burning trees.

Jeez sounds exactly like me, except for the dark, handsome, kites, saves cute puppies thing.

Did burn a tree once tho

You quit Manpower? Was that around the same time you burned the "tree"?

ka72

QLD

585 posts

ka72

QLD, 585 posts

17 Aug 2007 4:34pm

Surfinchick I agree, it wouldn't have to be too formal like you said, just someone to watch the kids on the shore. I am lucky that I have a husband that doesn't windsurf so he does a lot of looking after the kids, but this doesn't work when he is at work.

and NotWal - Like your idea -I have put my son on the front of the board a few times and he loves it as long as I am planing. He complains when I drop off the plane and says go faster mum.(speed freak already) He has had a few lessons already and hopefully will give it ago again this summer. Unfortunately my daughter hates the water - but I guess this might change when she is older

Gestalt

QLD

14953 posts

Gestalt

QLD, 14953 posts

17 Aug 2007 6:23pm

hi guys and girls.

it would be great to get more feedback.

i am working towards an event sponsored by starboard which will hopefully include some type of womens windsurfing clinic and child minding for the day.

it would also be good to sort some way of making the child minding a permanent thing... maybe a roster to cover events where there are fascilities for the kids.

more ideas welcome.

ka72

QLD

585 posts

ka72

QLD, 585 posts

19 Aug 2007 10:09am

The idea of a permanent roster at child friendly locations sounds good. Most of the beaches that wind wanders visit all seem to have playgrounds right near the launch areas or very close by, I am much more likely to bring my kids when I know there is a great park for them to play in and it is nice if they can come along and enjoy the day, who knows they could be our next generation windsurfers!

Are there any other windsurfing mums out there? only heard from one other so far. Or just any other windsurfing girls in SE Qld? who might like to add any further ideas to promoting windsurfing for women.

divaldo

2878 posts

divaldo

SA, 2878 posts

19 Aug 2007 10:05am

This sort of thing could definately happen in SA, As one half of a crazy windsurfing marriage, we also have a 5 year old, child minding and child looking after while one sails could deifinately happen, if any people are frustrated with this predicament in SA and want to get something organised for Summer give us a yell.

We seem to always sail around a place that has a playground, as life isnt worth living if one is not ten metres away at any time! So sailing at Kingston Park, Semaphore, Goolwa, Kent Reserve will be the places of most interest.....

A womans sailing day, sounds good Gestalt, let us know how you go. I am hoping this season will be a good one for blooding new talent , male and female.....

md74

QLD

1064 posts

md74

QLD, 1064 posts

19 Aug 2007 11:54am

Ive never windsurfed a woman, do they float?

mkseven

QLD

2315 posts

mkseven

QLD, 2315 posts

19 Aug 2007 12:04pm

quote:
Originally posted by Gestalt

hi guys and girls.

it would be great to get more feedback.

i am working towards an event sponsored by starboard which will hopefully include some type of womens windsurfing clinic and child minding for the day.

it would also be good to sort some way of making the child minding a permanent thing... maybe a roster to cover events where there are fascilities for the kids.

more ideas welcome.

Litigation nightmare ahoy... hang on Padi's instructors all have blue cards

Justin the only way YOU can not avoid possible damages being recovered from YOURSELF is by each dad being there to watch their kids. Daycares and schools have insurance, fences, x staff per child, training and bluecards for this sort or thing, you don't. Arranging child minding is a whole new ballgame which cannot really be covered by signing a waver.

surfinchick

251 posts

surfinchick

251 posts

19 Aug 2007 1:02pm

quote:
Originally posted by md74

Ive never windsurfed a woman, do they float?

Sorry guys, but it's attitudes like this that may be what's keeping women away from the male-dominated sport.

I believe you were trying to be humerous md74, but other females may not interpret it that way and take offense.

I thought the aim is to try and attract more females to the sport. I believe it could be quite intimidating for many girls to try to start out doing something when there's only a group of men doing it.

Could it be that some of you don't want to have women windsurfing? Is it your chance to escape the ball-and-chain and be with the boys?

drowned rat

37 posts

drowned rat

WA, 37 posts

19 Aug 2007 2:45pm

I say bring on the female windsurfers, most of the ones I've seen run rings around me anyway, (or sail rings around me)

md74

QLD

1064 posts

md74

QLD, 1064 posts

20 Aug 2007 7:52pm

lighten up surfinchick, Im married with 2 teenage daughters and I surf with both of them all the time, they also both thought my comment was quite funny.

They are just not interested in windsurfing, looks too hard to learn etc, so I encourage them both to go surfing, and we have a wow of a time.

But im also sure Germaine Greer wouldnt see the funny side of my joke! A pun was present and I pounced. Seeya on the water.

md74

QLD

1064 posts

md74

QLD, 1064 posts

20 Aug 2007 7:59pm

btw surfinchick, I also raced motocross and downhill mountain bikes for many years, and was instrumental in the development of several professional female racers, was part of the AIS program for training elite athletes, male and female. The only way these women entered the very male dominated sports was through their own personal desire to compete in these tough sports, maybe thats the thing, the girls out there have just got to step up to the plate, ignore all the male/female sport crap and just do it, thats my take. Nothing worse than seeing a boyfriend, husband desperately trying to get their partner into a sport that they are perhaps just not interested in. My wife has never had an issue with my sports or the time involved, she always loves to come out whenever im doing any of them, but its just not her thing to try it, simple.

Binny

31 posts

Binny

31 posts

20 Aug 2007 6:25pm

What I love about wsurfing is the adrenalin rush you get, that it is a self achievement/indulgent thing, and no-one can bother you out there.

Women too easily give up self time and allow partners to spend time in the water, to the detriment of self. We need to learn to take our share.

The kid thing....... be great if we could all share in the minding of the kids, I've had 3 kids at times, which does interfere with the ability to be on the water. However, having a wsurfing partner helps.

Maybe when we see mum's with kids, maybe we can offer our services to look after the kids for half an hour.

I think it's really impt to bring the kids with you to see you enjoying yourself, parents enjoying themselves, if you come prepared it's easy to spend a day on a beach.

I've taken my 3 month old baby and 2 boys wsurfing with me, and never let it get in the way of having family fun, without having to give up wsurfing myself. The kids love the water, being on the board, 2 have taken up wsurfing, it provides the basis of the best holidays we've had as a family.

You sail in, you put the baby and kids on the board, walk them up and down the beach, they then become part of it. Particularly in the early days, there was lots of walking up the beach.

md74

QLD

1064 posts

md74

QLD, 1064 posts

20 Aug 2007 8:44pm

go Binny thats the attitude!

There is nothing stopping women form enjoying this or other cool sports, just get in there and have a go!

mkseven

QLD

2315 posts

mkseven

QLD, 2315 posts

20 Aug 2007 8:52pm

I agree with md74, women in windsurfing is a good thing but it's something women have to take on by their own accord. I haven't met too many if any guys that wouldn't help, associate with or appreciate women sailors, nor many that would deny their partners assistance if they had a desire to learn to sail.

md74

QLD

1064 posts

md74

QLD, 1064 posts

20 Aug 2007 9:01pm

exactly mk, we all would welcome any female into our sport as an equal, if they need help, advice, got stranded or whatever Im sure all of the guys out there would be stoked to help out, so any girls out there, if you are keen, give it a shot. Heaps of girls surf, they drop in and get dropped in on equally as the guys do, but most importantly they decide for themselves to take it on, its an awesome thing to see a female give a difficult sport a go.

decrepit

12872 posts

decrepit

WA, 12872 posts

20 Aug 2007 7:03pm

Quite a few years ago, there was a guy here at about the gybing stage, his girlfriend also wanted to learn but all she got from him was discouragement.

A few weeks later she had a new boyfriend who was very helpful teaching her to windsurf.
The 2 of them are still out here on a good day.

surfinchick

251 posts

surfinchick

251 posts

20 Aug 2007 10:01pm

You guys are absolutely right about the help and support that the men offer the girls. The guys I've met so far have all been very welcoming and keen to provide info and advice, for which I'm really greatful.

Mkseven, the comment you made about litigation potential over the childminding possibility has scared me a little. Think that issue will need further invistigation.

The Grinch

733 posts

The Grinch

WA, 733 posts

21 Aug 2007 12:46pm

The solution is simple.

Put a shoe stall 200 metres from the beach atop a pontoon.
Put a "SALE" sign up.

The only means of transport to the pontoon would be by windsurfer.

P.C_simpson

1492 posts

P.C_simpson

WA, 1492 posts

22 Aug 2007 9:19am

can i say one thing to perants, kids rig, just teach the kids how to sail, got a friend who tought his kids to surf and windsurf, now there the ones asking to go sailing or surfing.

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