Push to get more girls paddling
Coolum Surf Club is breaking down gender stereotypes and encouraging women to start ski paddling.
Sunshine Coast
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COOLUM Surf club is putting their paddle forward in a bid to empower female ski paddlers.
The surf club has begun beginners sessions every second Saturday for all females that are interested in improving or learning surf ski skills.
Past world ski champion Kat Egan is coaching the beginner sessions and said it provided opportunities for female paddlers to become familiar with the craft.
Coolum Surf Club paddler Makaeli Adler, 15 said the sessions provided for her needs as a learner.
"She (Mrs Egan) understands that we're learning, and she is there to help us and it's really fun," Ms Adler said.
Coolum Surf Club secretary James Blackmore said having Mrs Egan as the beginner's coach was helping break down gender stereotypes.
"If you look up at the demographics in lifesaving, it is a boy club, every club up and down the coast you'll see a much larger number of men involved than ladies and it's a real problem," Mr Blackmore said.
"I love that we have Kat to help us out cause her being their breaks down that barrier."
Mrs Egan said she was happy to share her expertise and believed female role models were the first step to getting more female paddlers.
"It's certainly really positive for young women to have strong female role models to see that a woman can comfortably pick a surf ski up, walk down the beach and handle themselves in reasonable conditions," Mrs Egan said.
"If there is only ever six-foot males picking up a surf ski and paddling then you make the assumption that that's just where surf ski is born.
"It creates the opportunity for them [females] to do the same and I think unless you see it you don't believe that it can happen," Mrs Egan said.
Beginner paddler Nirvana Le Roux, 16, said having female role models like Mrs Egan were "so important".
"When you see all guys out there it's not very encouraging and having Kat out there makes it attainable," Ms Le Roux said.
Held at the Coolum Surf Club at 7.30am the sessions provide a safe place for women to learn.
"Creating an environment where they're going to have success is the important thing," Mrs Egan said.
For more information on the sessions call 07 5446 1148.
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