Social Learning: Girls in Big Waves

Social Learning: Girls in Big Waves

There are few things that motivate us more than seeing other girls in the water. If they can do it, we can do it too!

Working as a distributor for Ozone Kites in Germany allows me to get away for some time each winter. In order to try the new gear and market it, I hit the road as the season has come to an end due to the cold weather. Last winter, I spent some time in Cape Town.

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Although Capetonian kite spots are fairly crowded, even here in the world’s watersports capitol, the percentage of charging ladies is pretty small. At places that tend to get big, it was an exception to see girls go out and push their boundaries. Rough conditions, strong wind and high waves are intimidating. But conditions are the same for both sexes. So what’s holding us back from charging while (more of) the guys go? It is not a pure issue of overall quantities, as the number of kiting girls is increasing – which doesn’t show at critical spots. It’s not the skill set in most of us, we are just as able as men to go out in small waves first, to progress and to push ourselves into bigger waves step by step.

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It’s a matter of social learning: Seeing less girls than guys rip it up in crazy conditions (or do tricks that require courage) makes it easier to bail out. I can only speak for myself but there are few things that motivate us more than seeing other girls in the water. If they can do it, we can do it too!

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What’s the conclusion? Same as for the guys, actually: Just go out! If it looks scary make sure you have the right gear to be safe and to know everything you need about the spot and conditions – but then GO. If we see you and would otherwise be in doubt: we’ll come and join you. So go.

by Sanja Wiegmann
photos: Burkhard Blum & Stefan Gruhl

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