[Paddlewise] Gender Defender (was KP)

Melissa said:

>>Add my apologies to Kasia to this list.  And Jackie, I agree with you
- -more women [being naturally the superior paddling gender], should
speak often and freely here (eek! <Melissa dons her stylishly cut,
nicely colored flame-proof wetsuit> ;-)>>

Melissa touches on a subject that I've been doing a lot of thinking
about lately: The differences (or lack of differences) between male and
female paddlers. I realize Melissa's comment above about female
superiority is in jest (okay, maybe it isn't :-)), but it does provide a
springboard for me to dive into "the battle of the sexes" issue, as it
pertains to paddling.

My beef is that I don't think it makes a whole lot of difference what
sex you are in terms of one's enjoyment and practice of kayaking. I get
damn tired on trips from men complain about some gal who they say is a
"bit_at_#", and on the very next day, the guy is acting like a jerk - or
worse. It seems obvious to me that we all have our personality problems
regardless of gender, and our bad days and poor judgment (often out of
character as seen on PW recently)..

The next thing that gets my goat (or is that a doe?), is the barrage of
criticism men always seem to be getting, because women think that men's
paddling behavior is macho. Yes, I've seen some of these guys doing
their best to make the male species look bad on a mixed trip, but more
often than not, it is individual personality problems again. Men who
leave their gal-pals behind in rough weather, men who challenge nature,
performing awesome paddling feats and then lording it over women folk,
are all cads - who just happen to be men.

I guess if I can make any observation from experience over the years, is
that yes, there is more of a tendency toward certain behavior patterns,
and more of a predisposition toward certain characteristics from certain
sexes, but there will always be a sense in which you will find a
definite, even if small, percentage of the opposite sex you are
criticizing -- doing the same thing or committing the same actions.
There is way too much generalization in gender paddling politics.

I've seen women on trips eyeing up the guys, looking real close at their
cute butts, forming little jealousies. I've seen women practice very
unsafe, daring paddling tactics, etc., etc. Men get accused of always
wanting to go, go, go. I've been on trips where the men, if they hit a
sunny day or two,  would rest and relax and not forge ahead. It depends
on the individuals, know what I mean?

Now maybe I'm going to generalize, gulp! I've just finished reading Sea
Kayaker's account and Wavelength's account of the all women La Nina
expedition that paddled the entire outside coast of BC. I completely did
a double-take, and rethought my views on the entire subject. I was
impressed by some differences that were very apparent with the all women
group. The women seemed to have much better communication regarding
safety and decision making. There was no leader on the trip. All
decisions were relegated to the weakest member - the lowest common
denominator. If anyone did not feel up to the conditions, if anyone
wanted to turn back and it was navigationally possible, that is what the
team did. They also seemed to have - and this is perhaps really
subjective - way more fun than a bunch of guys do on a trip, or one with
even a mixed group.

I noticed Sea Kayaker Magazine has a nascent "psychology" section, that
my friend, Doug Alderson f-i-n-a-l-l-y got his article into about
rolling and visualization/positive thinking reinforcement. Perhaps SK
will delve into this issue of group dynamics, decision making - with
respect to some of these gender differences. Well, just a thought, if
anyone is listening in publication land.

Call me schizophrenic or hypocritical, but maybe there are some
differences. I know the battle will never be over, but at least all us
"real" women and men sea kayakers have a wonderful common denominator -
our love for the sport and the sea.

Melissa has been an inspiration to me from her other posts, and whoever
gets to paddle with her is a lucky human indeed. And don't you dare sign
off the list Kasia (please),  the rest of us inferior species need your
input and perspective.

Respectfully,

BC'in Ya
Doug Lloyd



***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************