4/8/2019 0 Comments In Celebration of ManThere was an old saying "Behind every great man there is a great woman". I've been thinking a lot lately about the reverse of this: the men that have supported me through my paddling & working life. Anyone that knows me is very aware that I am a passionate advocate of gender equality, and particularly in the case of women who want to advance in male-dominated environments. I've had three careers, personally, all very male-dominated. And of course, the support of other women is critical in those environments, and female role models help enormously in making progress when you are among the first - or one of very few- women to achieve something. However, it is my belief - and some may find this a controversial view- that it's just as important, if not more so, to have supportive and forward-thinking men around you in these environments. In planning the Women's Essential Sea Kayaking Weekend I've thought about this subject a lot, an event that is being organised by myself and two male sea kayak coaches who I admire and respect enormously- so I thought I might share, and celebrate, a few examples of the extraordinary men who have supported me in my kayaking career.
I'm very lucky these days: I'm surrounded by supportive, forward-thinking male role models. I've had more than my fair share of sexist experiences too however, in thirty years of working in three very different industries. In my view if we are to change the way our society works, these wonderful men, who support us when we need it and help us fight our corner in achieving gender equality and challenging unconscious bias both in actions and in words, are not celebrated enough.
Thanks guys, I couldn't do it without you.
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AuthorSea Kayak Coach & Personal Trainer based in the Scottish Highlands. I love paddling, running, lifting weights, cycling, and moving well- and I love helping other people to do the same. I have to work really hard to build and maintain my skills on the water and my fitness, and I hope that helps me to understand how hard my clients also have to work! Archives
March 2021
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