are there any females part of this forum?

Just curious

yes

Indeed.

Well I have really long hair. But in the front I have a really long beard:eekdrull:. So I guess I don't count!!!:sniff:

Quote:

Originally posted by rocfighter Well I have really long hair. But in the front I have a really long beard:eekdrull:. So I guess I don't count!!!:sniff:

Yeah, but you do that cute little thing when you walk... ;-)

Mark I didn't think you noticed :moon:

I do occationaly wear womens capris, I like the way they feel and they're stretchy.

Quote:

Originally posted by snowspider I do occationaly wear womens capris, I like the way they feel and they're stretchy.

It's the fishnets that worry me Patty...

oh okay, curiosity fulfilled

Quote:

Originally posted by big_d oh okay, curiosity fulfilled

Yes there are women on the forum, but most of the noise is from the dudes. This thread is but one example.

Philip

Yes but only a few at the time. I have been active for over 10 years.

Susan (npw goddess)

I am thinking this from a statistical point of view: There are very few women I know that are into power kiting. the main women I know in the power kiting scene are kitemaker4 and the women from rideLikeAGirl. They make up a small percent of the kiting community(no offense). It is most likely that only a small percentage of those women know about this forum. This is one of the reasons we need to get more people into power kiting. I think it is often seen as a guy thing, but it doesn't have to be. I dont know what needs to be done to fix this but I do think something needs to be done.

it will come in time, the main reason I can tell you it is not quite other there, I don't know anybody who owns a kite or does this, I first this saw this at a Red Bull Event and they have it playing on tv 2-3 years ago, then earlier this year I saw a guy kiteboarding in Fort Lauderdale and asked him a couple questions

but theres no real coverage of it on tv or anything to promote

similar to snowboarding, compare that 20 years ago to now, now almost every person I know has tried snowboarding or skiing at least once

Quote:

Originally posted by big_d similar to snowboarding, compare that 20 years ago to now, now almost every person I know has tried snowboarding or skiing at least once

Shhhhhh. Kiteboarding has been around for more than 20 years and we have a great community from all walks of life. You will find female kiters all over, just fewer of them.

I would hate to see it change the way skiing has. Nothing is like snowkiting - no lineups, you never get cold on the ride up, you can make fresh tracks on every run, nobody out of control crashes into you (although sometimes gets close ), the season doesn't end when too many skiers are out golfing or spending $$ on other activities.

The percentage of women in this sport seems pretty small with the largest segment probably in surf followed by buggy then KGB and the smallest in snowkite. That would be my guess anyway.

I think by and large most women have better things to do that mess around with online forums at least thats what Molly tells me. She's a damn good kiter and she's happy with that. She doesn't feel the need to interact with too many people online beyond her Facebook stuff. She'd rather ride that spout off about riding on the forums I guess.

Me, I'm not that smart. I like to ride but I sometimes can't help spouting off in the forums. Sometimes maybe I help people, sometimes (like now) I just ramble.

I guess the bottom line is if you spend all your time in the forums you aren't spending all your time riding.

Been trying to get my wife into kiting ever since I had my first few flights. Her excuse is well she just doesn't like it. It amazes me how many people would dump 15k on a sled, another 15-20k on a quad or side by side then say its way to expensive to get into kiting. I suppose there are plenty of ladies out there who would learn to kite and probably out pilot many men out there. You just gotta find them. The pro circuit is full of very talent ladies so there is still the chance for more to find their way on here as the sport grows. Willing to bet after the Olympics does its job to spread the word, we will see a big jump in popularity.

oh guaranteed, I could tell you right now, probably one of the main reason is the status of kite flying, people think of kite flying well they think it is kind of ya knowww not "manly" and the fact that you have to start with a smaller kite probably turns people away, but after the olympics it will jump up, but do you really want it too? dont you enjoy the freedom you have not have to worry about people getting in your way

That is a true point often mentioned what talking about the sport growing. We want to share it with the world, but often that isn't the best. With a growing popularity comes the risk that large groups will ruin it for you with crowding and potential bans. Me I would just love to have a few close by friends who shared my passion.

I am keep trying bring some females to the sport .... They all love trainer kite ..... When trying bigger kite all get scared .... and quit .....

Quote:

Originally posted by Kober I am keep trying bring some females to the sport .... They all love trainer kite ..... When trying bigger kite all get scared .... and quit .....

I feel like there are only two real obstacles to women in kiting. One is the existing gender bias. As a "guys club" it might seem inaccessible. There's not a lot of community for the ladies.

The second issue is risk aversion. I've read plenty of studies that say women are more risk averse then men. So your average woman is going to be less likely to continue with the sport once they understand the risks.

On the flip side, all of kiting is more cerebral than athletic. No one needs big muscles to do this sport. All you need is a willingness to use your mind. It's the mental skills and experience that allow the experienced flier to assess the conditions, pick the right gear, use it wisely and walk away from the session fulfilled.

I think we should convey to the more cautious crowd the message that you can choose the kind of kiter you want to be. You can be more conservative and still have a lot of fun.

Philip

guess I got lucky!!! http://vimeo.com/22749846

Konrad you know you just want more women to flirt with!!!:moon:

Phil is right. Women have a much better sense of self presevation than most guys do. And the fact that it is mostly a sausage fest compounded by the whole "EXTREME" label that a lot of people like to throw at it. Seriously it's no more extreme than riding a bike or skiing in general.

How many members in this forum would fall under the classification of "extreme athelete"? There are obviously extreme aspects but for the most part kiting is just wicked fun for a wide range of people.

And lets be honest, spouses teaching each other RARELY works out. When was the last time you listened when the wife tried to tell you how to do something? I'm lucky with Molly because she has a inate ability to be able to analyze what she's doing and ask questions. She's also a guided learner, learns well by following someone's lead. And in spite of her sense of self preservation she is able to put it aside when A) she's having a lot of fun or B) someone said she can't do something and has pissed her off. (that someone being me at times):bouncy:

Quote:

Originally posted by big_d are there any females part of this forum? Just curious

This female just joined! Looking for a 2m and a 5m to play with on a grass runway in Colorado!

Well there you are!

A 2m and a 5m sound just right for a grass runway in Colorado! Wellcome to the forum.

There are loads of women kitesurfers in Europe. Its seems like its a pretty popular sport with the ladies over here.

I have only ever met one female powerkiter though...

I think forums are more of a guy thing than kiting.

Quote:

Originally posted by lives2fly There are loads of women kitesurfers in Europe. Its seems like its a pretty popular sport with the ladies over here. I have only ever met one female powerkiter though... I think forums are more of a guy thing than kiting.

Im in the UK and know (or know of) several female power kiters, who are involved in a number of activities (boarding, surfing, and buggying.) I do know more men though. its just one of those things i guess.

Exercise, and physical activities releases endorphins, and dopamine, which causes the sense of enjoyment and that "high" that we get when kiting. However men get more of these biological chemicals released than women when exercising, so in general men enjoy these kinds of activities more. (im fairly sure that's correct anyway! although im by no means a biologist, lol..)

I agree that forums are more of a male thing though, so we may not see as many females on here.

Tim

We have a few female power kiters in Vancouver, but only my girl friend, aka Dusty, has lasted. She's pretty handy with a kite and buggy.
She does not come on this forum, but is active on Ravelry, a knitting forum. For those thinking forums are a guy thing, Ravelry has like three million members. Their forum has things like who has what wool in their stash what they are planning to do with it, where they bought, the dye lot. If we had anything like the features of their forum you would be able to track the history of every kite owned in the group down to where it was used, what videos you can see it in, line diagrams for the bridle, etc.
S

Bump ..... we need more info on this subject ... lol ...

Females ..... speak up !!!!!! lol ....