While I may not be fully qualified to discuss the role of women in the sport of SUP I can’t help but notice that there is an abundance of exceptional women in the sport. Surfing and any racing sport are generally dominated by men. While the majority of racers are still men, the numbers are a lot closer when comparing to other sports.
It is great to see that we have a strong female influence in the sport and that there are so many couples that are getting out and paddling together. One of the many unique and exceptional aspects of stand up paddling is that, for the most part, men and women can use the same equipment. Unlike many other outdoor activities like mountain biking skiing or snowboarding, couples can share the same equipment to get out and paddle on their own or have some slightly different gear to allow for paddling together.
While there are some big name female paddlers that I could mention like Candice Appleby, Anabel Anderson, Brandi Baksic, Nikki Gregg etc. It is exciting to see some local women who are leaders in the SUP industry in BC and Canada. Lina Augaitis, Catherine Bruhwiler, Kristy Wright and Shannon Bell are just a few of the exceptional local ladies in the sport of SUP. I have had the pleasure of paddling with and working with these women and it should be noted that they are doing exceptional things as females and paddlers in the sport.
Lina Augaitis is usually leading the female race pack and also most of the men's pack. I don’t think she has lost a race in Canada yet and is always finding new ways to push the sport. She paddled the Yukon River by SUP, competed in the biggest races in the world, island hopped in South East Asia and is currently training to compete in the world famous Molokai to Oahu race.
Catherine Bruhwiler has always been a leader in the women's surfing world but has taken to SUP in the surf capital of Canada, Tofino. Cath owns her own SUP company, Tofino Paddlesurf, she won her first race this season, she is leading the way for SUP surf instruction and coastal touring on the West Coast. She has also just finished her apprenticeship to become an Instructor Trainer within the Paddle Canada SUP program.
Kristy Wright is a business owner in Vancouver and leads the SUP Yoga scene. Travelling around North America to teach SUP Yoga, Kristy continues to be a leader in the SUP scene and gets new people into the sport every day. Kristy has also completed her Instructor Trainer status with Paddle Canada.
Shannon Bell competed for Canada at the World Championships in Peru this year coming in 3rd place in her respective categories. She is a SUP instructor, competes with all of the boys at local races and is an inspiration to athletes in the sport as well as athletes and Moms!
I wouldn’t say that I overlooked the local female paddling talent but as I was thinking over the past few weeks I tried doing some comparisons to other sports and there is no question we have some exceptional female leaders, paddlers and teachers in the sport of SUP.
I hope that these ladies continue to inspire others to begin paddling, teaching, racing and surfing and pushing their limits in a new sport. I also hope that more people take notice of how unique it is to have such great female role models in a brand new sport!
