| The world of extreme sports, traditionally a | | | | |
| man's world, is slowly opening up to women. | | | | Part of the problem, observers say, is that |
| In Texas, and the cities of Houston, Dallas | | | | extreme sports are driven by big business, |
| and Austin, women are becoming increasingly | | | | the point being that if the industry doesn't |
| interested in three of the six X-Game | | | | expect a large enough audience - - consumers |
| categories: speed climbing, wakeboarding and | | | | ready and willing to buy the products -- they |
| in-line skating. A group of women was also | | | | don't think its worth supporting the |
| invited to demonstrate their talent in | | | | athletes. Others say the world of extreme |
| freestyle motocross and both vertical (or | | | | sports has its share of sexism, with judging |
| "vert") and street skateboarding. Although | | | | seemingly based on how women look rather than |
| the women showed they were capable of | | | | on their athletic ability. |
| creating excitement in the audience with | | | | |
| their feats, the money available to female | | | | Some women say they feel uncomfortable about |
| competitors is still an issue in championship | | | | the way skate magazines and images on the |
| events. | | | | skate decks portray women. Advertising can |
| | | | also be an issue for some; clothing companies |
| At a recent Xbox World Championship of | | | | are known to hire models to wear the clothes |
| Skateboarding, for example, the top three | | | | in ads rather than the female athletes - - |
| male street skaters took home a total of | | | | something observers say would not occur with |
| $34,000, while the top three females took | | | | men's sporting apparel. That can create a |
| home $3,600. | | | | problem when it comes to young girls choosing |
| | | | female athletes as role models: if they pick |
| While young women have participated in | | | | up a magazine, the only females they see are |
| alternative and extreme sports from the very | | | | models skimpily dressed or in fashion |
| beginning, they have not been given the same | | | | photography, not competing. |
| recognition as their male colleagues, | | | | |
| although many are doing their part to break | | | | Other women have taken the initiative, one |
| through. | | | | being the founder of Chickabiddy, a surfing |
| | | | and snowboarding clothing company geared to |
| The category "alternative sports" may have | | | | women. Along with a line of women's clothing, |
| been around for decades but only recently has | | | | Chickabiddy sells a rash guard, a top worn |
| it been called "extreme." Publicity around | | | | during surfing to help prevent chaffing, and |
| the word "extreme" extends into the world of | | | | made especially for women's bodies. |
| marketing, with the "extreme flavor" of a | | | | Chickabiddy sponsors eight girls in both |
| brand of chips or a drink being given | | | | snowboarding and surfing, and also has a |
| "extreme taste." For the industry, an extreme | | | | website for the "female action sports |
| sport is defined as a "non-traditional sport | | | | enthusiast." |
| that focuses on extreme and varying | | | | |
| conditions, and challenges both the mental | | | | There are other people with the aims of |
| and physical abilities of its participants." | | | | Chickadiddy founders on the web, making the |
| | | | Internet one place where women interested in |
| While most extreme athletes average in their | | | | extreme sports can start changing their |
| early 20s, some involved are much younger, | | | | world. One place is Mxgirls-dot-com, which |
| even in their early teens. | | | | focuses on the world of women in motocross, |
| | | | its founder having created the site due to a |
| It's not necessarily the money that drives | | | | lack of Internet exposure. |
| young women to compete. Another motivation is | | | | |
| to break the stereotypes about men being the | | | | Women are slowly breaking into the world of |
| only ones out to get a rush of adrenaline. | | | | extreme sports, a world where men have long |
| Despite having a love of extreme sports, | | | | dominated. The more of an audience they |
| young women competing in extreme sports seem | | | | build, the more likely it will be that |
| to have accepted the fact that the money is | | | | interest continues to build. If you're a |
| not (yet) there for them. Sponsors now may | | | | young woman looking to "push the limits" |
| pay entry fees, travel expenses and | | | | maybe you should check to make sure you're |
| equipment, but the big money is still | | | | ready in every part of your life, including |
| reserved for male competitors who often get | | | | health insurance. |
| paid by sponsors. | | | | |