The outdoors feels good, it’s good for everyone. But for many women, it can seem a little inaccessible world. Various organizations, brought together in the framework of a project called La Lancee, are seeking to iron out the obstacles that stand in their way.
Posted at 11:30 a.m.
These organizations include the Society of Outdoor Establishments of Quebec (SEPAQ), the Quebec Outdoor Network and a number of outdoor communities, such as the Mountain Chèvres.
“The idea is to show women that the territories are accessible,” says the assistant to the general manager of tourist establishments at SEPAQ, Sophie Fournier, in a text that can be found on the La Lancee website. “The outdoors is for all women, even those who don’t look like they’ve climbed Everest. »
Mountain Goats know well the factors that can discourage women. This outdoor community organizes a large number of activities for women, from mountain biking and ice climbing, to canoe-camping and backcountry skiing.
PHOTO ALEXANDRA RACINE, PROVIDED BY MOUNTAIN GOATS
Camping is an activity that requires a certain expertise. You can learn with more experienced partners or in supervised activities.
Building a social network
First there is a question of social network.
“Some people didn’t necessarily evolve with a group of friends who had the same interests, the same desire to start certain sports,” observes Pascale Vézina Rioux, director of Les Chèvres de montagne.
However, several outdoor sports, such as rock climbing, require reliable partners. Some, like mountain biking, are safer when done with other people.
“Each sport has its community,” recalls Pascale Vézina Rioux. If you don’t know anyone who is part of this community, it’s intimidating and it’s harder to fit into the sport. »
For her part, Émilie Richard, co-director of Chèvres de montagne, says that women and men learn differently. Women therefore do not necessarily benefit from what currently exists.
We see that girls have a way of learning that is meant to be in stages. They appreciate the fact of being supervised, of being in a safe atmosphere.
Émilie Richard, co-director of Chèvres de montagne
Pascale Vézina Rioux sets an example in the field of mountain biking.
“We dissect the movement in every detail, we show the techniques to do it, it’s each his turn. Everyone does it until they succeed. The girls feel confident. »
Lack of self-confidence is precisely one of the major obstacles to greater participation by women. There is a lot of knowledge to acquire to gain this confidence: the specific techniques of the activity, the necessary equipment, the maintenance of this equipment, orientation, planning an outing, etc.
“People don’t necessarily have the necessary knowledge during the first season,” notes Pascale Vézina Rioux. The fact of being supervised, of having access to an activity that shows how to pack your bag, what to bring in your first aid kit, these are tools that will give them confidence and bring them, quietly, to become more independent. »
Supervised activities have another advantage.
“It also allows you to meet adventure partners, to create a small social network with which you can practice an activity”, underlines Émilie Richard.
Pascale Vézina Rioux notes, however, that not all women aspire to become fully independent.
“Some people like a supervised formula because they’ve worked hard all week, they don’t want to worry about it. They say to themselves: “I have an expert guide, I have my food provided for three days, I have my itinerary, I just have to prepare my bag.” »
PHOTO ALEXANDRA RACINE, PROVIDED BY MOUNTAIN GOATS
Many women enjoy learning in an all-female group.
The issue of costs
There is another obstacle: the costs of the outdoors, an obstacle that does not only affect women.
Mountain goats and other outdoor communities are no exception to this problem: their activities may be too expensive for many women, but at the same time they need some income to stay in business.
“It’s hard for outdoor businesses like ours to stand the test of time and pay for themselves,” says Pascale Vézina Rioux. We want to democratize sport, but we cannot charge for all our hours. It is difficult to know what we have access to in terms of government assistance. »
La Lancee, a project supported by the Quebec government and managed by the M361 organization, could help these outdoor communities.
“With La Lancee, I felt that there was an interest in making us known, in looking for tools to help us continue,” comments Pascale Vézina Rioux.
La Lancee is not limited to outdoor activities. It affects two other sectors, organized sport and physical activity in general, with two experienced partners, FitSpirit and Égale Action.
“Our mission is to mobilize and inspire stakeholders, but also decision-makers in the three sectors,” says Marianne Lacharité-Lemieux, partnership strategy advisor at M361. Leaders have a role in creating the winning conditions for girls and women to thrive in all of these sectors. »
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