Gear manufacturers have realised that lots of women like the outdoors and they're different shapes from men. Here's what's out there, and where you can buy it.
Heather Swan - BASEjumping
Never let fear, prejudice or self doubt stand between you and your dreams.
“If riding in a plane is flying, then riding in a boat is swimming. If you want to experience the element - get out of the vehicle!”
This is a skydiving quote that Heather Swan, BASEjumper, Wingsuit BASEjumper, author, photographer and professional speaker, obviously takes to heart.
BASEjumping involves jumping from fixed objects, either using a parachute or a combination of a Wingsuit and parachute. BASE is an acronym that stands for the four categories of fixed objects from which BASEjumpers can launch: Buildings, Antenna, Spans (bridges) and Earth. BASEjumping is relatively new as a sport in its own right (that is, not a spin off from skydiving), gaining popularity in the late 1970’s. To be a successful BASE jumper (as Heather and her husband Glenn report on their website) you must complete a minimum of 200 skydives and have a range of skills including disciplined judgement, fine motor skills, expert canopy control, mental and physical acuity and unshakeable self-confidence. This makes most participants dedicated athletes, reasonably a little annoyed by the media’s representation of BASEjumping as an illegal, foolhardy sport. To read the article mentioned above and for more information about the sport and its history, go here.
Heather holds two World Records in BASEjumping and Wingsuit BASEjumping with her husband, Dr Glenn Singleman. Both of these jumps were from 6604 metres on Mt Meru in
Heather began skydiving, climbing and canyoning with her Glenn, who is a professional adventurer. She was hooked from the start and now lists her favourite outdoor activities as Wingsuit BASEjumping, Wingsuit skydiving, rock climbing, mountaineering, trail running, mountain biking, trekking, skiing and kayaking. Heather says her role in the outdoors varies depending on the activity, describing herself at different times as an athlete, instructor, educator, competitor and happy participant.
Heather’s career started in the corporate world, but now her work is writing, photography and speaking - mostly about her experiences in the outdoors. Her first book, Defying Gravity Defying Fear (ABC Books), is about Glenn and Heather’s project to attempt breaking Glenn‘s World Record for High Altitude BASEjumping, set by Glenn in 1992 from The Great Trango Tower in Pakistan, 6248 metres. The book (and documentary) follows Heather, who had never been skydiving or mountaineering before, as she attains the skills she needs to conquer her fears and learn to BASEjump. Her new book, No Ceiling (Five Mile Press) comes out in August.
BASEjumping is very male dominated and Heather says there are advantages and disadvantages in this. She says that an advantage is being able to step away from poor choices that can be made in the heat of peer pressure - many guys are afraid to appear weak and will go ahead with a jump even if they don’t feel comfortable. Heather feels that as a woman she doesn’t have that same pressure.
One of Heather’s role models is Marta Empinotti, the world’s most experienced female BASEjumper. Marta, Heather says, is remarkable - petite and feminine but tough, capable and self-assured at the same time. When Marta started BASEjumping, the sport was considered a thinly veiled attempt at suicide, even for men, but she loved it and stuck at it and now she is one of the most respected BASEjumpers in the world, male or female.
A disadvantage of the male dominated environment is that there can be some prejudice, but Heather has found that the best way to handle this is to see the prejudice for what it is - insecurity and fear. She stays true to herself and her own goals, avoids the temptation to get caught up in the ‘macho thing’ and focuses on excellence in her own performance. Regardless of whether you are male or female, excellence inevitably wins respect.
(Photos from the Baseclimb website)
For more information on Heather, Glenn, their past achievements and their upcoming adventures, visit the Baseclimb website. You can also view videos and photographs of some of their BASEjumps at the blog.
Have you also read the profile of Brigitte Muir, famous Australian mountaineer, on GO! Girls Outdoors? If not, go here.