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