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"Should Women Compete Against the Men?"
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February 23, 2009
"Should Women Compete Against the Men?"
By Kim Hiss
That's the question angler Kim Bain-Moore, who made history last weekend by being the first woman to compete in the Bassmaster Classic, asked Saturday on her tournament blog.
Bain -- a 28-year-old originally from Australia, who now lives in Alabaster, Ala., -- is the 2008 Women's Bassmaster Tour Angler of the Year. Last Friday, she fulfilled a lifelong dream when she walked across the Bassmaster stage and weighed in. Unfortunately, she missed the cut Saturday, finishing the tournament in 47th place with a two-day total of 12 pounds, two ounces.
While her Saturday blog post talked about her pride in having competed and the fatigue she felt now that the event was over, it also included some observations about the unique challenges of being the only woman competitor (including not being able to pee on the water), and even some suggestions that a few of the other anglers may not have been "enthusiastic" about her presence. She states:
"Then there was the undercurrent of displeasure towards my situation from some of my fellow Classic competitors... which for a few of them turned into a personal vendetta."
She elaborated only somewhat, thanking the "guys" for the fact that there had been no, "special favorite sister, or hold the door for the girl treatment."
Bain-Moore answers her own question about the advisability of women competing against men at the end of her post when she says, "That's a debate for when we all have much more experience on the topic." Considering basic physical differences as well as social conceptions, what do you think? -K.H.
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Comments (31)
The question should be why shouldn't women compete against men.
Nate
If they like to lose!!! Ok, It was just a joke. I think they should as long as it is the same for everyone across the board.
Why not? Was there ever an actual rule that they couldn't? What would have been the rationale?
I agree, why shouldn't women and men compete in the same outdoors event. One of the greatest benefits of hunting and fishing is that so many variables that effect our daily lives don't matter at all when you get in the field or on the water. It all comes down to knowledge and experience. If you've got the ability to compete with the pros, you should.
Why not? I'd want to compete against everybody, not just have the population.
Sure, but they have to play by the same set of rules as the guys do. One of my pet peeves are women who want to compete with the guys claiming equality but then claiming that they need to play by different rules to compensate for differences between the gender.
She did alright, not great but she didn't finish last.
I consider it entirely appropriate for women to compete against men in bass tournaments, and I congratulate Ms. Bain-Moore for a commendable job. If some of the males were offended or disappointed that she was a competitor, I have to wonder what their reasoning may have been since, as I understand it, no changes in the rules were implemented in her interest.
I see no problem with women competing against men in any non-contact sport/competition. I can't imagine why some of the pros would have been put-off by there being a woman in the Classic, particularly since there have been others in years past.
i dont see why not they do it in golf
I feel that if there is only one event, not separated by classificaions of experiance or sex, than there should be no issue of who can compete. But if there is a series of classifications, ie amateur, semi pro, pro, male, female, etc., then folks should follow the guidelines for those competitions.
I feel if someone is qualified to compete or do something, let them do it.
I also feel that from other posts and blogs, that the organization should be getting the heat for this, not the person. They are the ones who make the rules and the decisions, not the actual people competing.
I don't think there's any difference between sexes in fishing, this isn't weight lifting folks. As long as the rules remain the same for both, i.e. in golf women get to tee off closer, it must be they can't see as well as men. Just keep a level playing field and I don't care.
Unless the competition involves peeing off a porch or lifting a loot of weight, why not?
It looks like most of us are of the same thinking. As long as rule and regs are followed, it shouldn't matter even if Sasquatch entered a Bass tourny.
As long as the women are as good as the men, let them compete, why not. Generally women don't compete agaist men because it is unfair for one or the other. If they can be on even terms and women have a realistic chance of winning, let them compete.
Why not let the girls fish (preferably in a bikini). Most of them look a lot better than the men.
I caught the beginning of the tourny and watched where they talked to Kim as she was headed out. She seemed to be ready to go get into the action. Sorry to hear that she didn't win, but hey that's competition. I know nothing about fishing as I don't do it, but I'm not really seeing any major differences between guys vs gals?
I compete against men in my chosen hunting activity, they're just as fun to beat as anyone else! Lol J/K I would love to compete with other women, not because I think I could win, but for the chance to meet and talk with them.
I gotta give Kim Bain a big Way To Go! She made it there and she gave it a good try, that in its self is plain Awesome!
I'll echo those of you who congratulated Kim Bain for competing -- it's a great accomplishment. It's also great to be assured that so many of us are for equality-in-competition, not only regarding gender, but also mythological orientation (Lou A., I'm waiting for the day Sasquatch enters a bass tourny), -K.H.
They do it in golf, nascar, nba, college football and under, hunting, why not fishing?
Nate
Of course, If I won a world championship in a sport that excluded anyone, for any reason, I could not consider myself the world champion. We all know that some sports are better suited to a certain gender but, there are always exceptions.
The outdoor sports are not gender specific nor is there any valid reason to make them such.
i knew a lot of women in alaska that could outfish most guys just because they did it right. fishing isn't a gender seperation sport. if you really think about it, women have a slight advantage because for the most part they are more patient than men. if they weren't a lot of us guys would not be here by now.
The fish doesn't give a rip whether a man or woman is on the other end of the line. I think more women should compete if they are skilled enough. The problem of "facilities" in a boat can be addressed by a port-a-potty under the seat, most tournament boats have everything else. If not, there is always that secluded slough on the lake...........
I got to catch the beginning of the tourney on TV and was impressed with Kim - she just wanted to get out there and fish! She was out there to do her best, and because she is talented she made the Classic. Like Lou, Kim, and Laura, I think she opened up the field by just competeing and that is enough to be celebrated. I think it is a shame that there were other "unsportsmanlike" men out there - but they will always be there, and luckily as shown by this blog, they are the minority. (What if someone treated thier wife or daughter that way? Shame on them...) It should not keep women from going out and participating in a sport they love, competing in sport they are good at, or from other women learning a new sport. Next year Kim will have the peeing all figured out, much like myself out hunting with the guys in the middle of the prairie. Keep up the good work Kim!
I can't see any reason why women could not compete in Fishing on the same level as men. It isn't exactly Rugby now is it? However, I think it would take a while for Women to reach the highest levels of competition simply because there aren't as many women competing.
Why not! I've watched women who are very good anglers. No reason at all they shouldn't be able to participate in fishing tournements. Unless maybe some of them good ole boys are scared of getting beat by a --GASP!-- girl! HA! Ha! I'm sure thats mainly what its all about.Kinda like when Michell Wie walked on the course at Agusta.
Look out, boys. Danica is beating men in ridiculously powerful cars, and soon enough, a woman in will show up and beat men in ridiculously powerful boats.
just combine both bass divisions and get it on. let the women make the guys sweat.
why not let them, it's a wonder on how they're only now starting to compete, i know some women that could easily win against any one.
I see no reason whatsoever for women not to compete against the men, neither has any kind of physical advantage or disadvantage, being bigger and stronger does not help you catch fish.
How would this impact ranking in Female Bass Pro Category? Just because one woman places in men's category, doesn't mean they should be ranked higher than a female winner in women's category. Overall, it come's down to big money pots, and all professional bass fisherpeople WANT THE MONEY LEBOWSKI.
I think tat women should compete with men because it would show their talent and skill
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I consider it entirely appropriate for women to compete against men in bass tournaments, and I congratulate Ms. Bain-Moore for a commendable job. If some of the males were offended or disappointed that she was a competitor, I have to wonder what their reasoning may have been since, as I understand it, no changes in the rules were implemented in her interest.
I caught the beginning of the tourny and watched where they talked to Kim as she was headed out. She seemed to be ready to go get into the action. Sorry to hear that she didn't win, but hey that's competition. I know nothing about fishing as I don't do it, but I'm not really seeing any major differences between guys vs gals?
I compete against men in my chosen hunting activity, they're just as fun to beat as anyone else! Lol J/K I would love to compete with other women, not because I think I could win, but for the chance to meet and talk with them.
I gotta give Kim Bain a big Way To Go! She made it there and she gave it a good try, that in its self is plain Awesome!
I agree, why shouldn't women and men compete in the same outdoors event. One of the greatest benefits of hunting and fishing is that so many variables that effect our daily lives don't matter at all when you get in the field or on the water. It all comes down to knowledge and experience. If you've got the ability to compete with the pros, you should.
I feel that if there is only one event, not separated by classificaions of experiance or sex, than there should be no issue of who can compete. But if there is a series of classifications, ie amateur, semi pro, pro, male, female, etc., then folks should follow the guidelines for those competitions.
I feel if someone is qualified to compete or do something, let them do it.
I also feel that from other posts and blogs, that the organization should be getting the heat for this, not the person. They are the ones who make the rules and the decisions, not the actual people competing.
i knew a lot of women in alaska that could outfish most guys just because they did it right. fishing isn't a gender seperation sport. if you really think about it, women have a slight advantage because for the most part they are more patient than men. if they weren't a lot of us guys would not be here by now.
just combine both bass divisions and get it on. let the women make the guys sweat.
The question should be why shouldn't women compete against men.
Nate
I got to catch the beginning of the tourney on TV and was impressed with Kim - she just wanted to get out there and fish! She was out there to do her best, and because she is talented she made the Classic. Like Lou, Kim, and Laura, I think she opened up the field by just competeing and that is enough to be celebrated. I think it is a shame that there were other "unsportsmanlike" men out there - but they will always be there, and luckily as shown by this blog, they are the minority. (What if someone treated thier wife or daughter that way? Shame on them...) It should not keep women from going out and participating in a sport they love, competing in sport they are good at, or from other women learning a new sport. Next year Kim will have the peeing all figured out, much like myself out hunting with the guys in the middle of the prairie. Keep up the good work Kim!
It looks like most of us are of the same thinking. As long as rule and regs are followed, it shouldn't matter even if Sasquatch entered a Bass tourny.
I'll echo those of you who congratulated Kim Bain for competing -- it's a great accomplishment. It's also great to be assured that so many of us are for equality-in-competition, not only regarding gender, but also mythological orientation (Lou A., I'm waiting for the day Sasquatch enters a bass tourny), -K.H.
Why not! I've watched women who are very good anglers. No reason at all they shouldn't be able to participate in fishing tournements. Unless maybe some of them good ole boys are scared of getting beat by a --GASP!-- girl! HA! Ha! I'm sure thats mainly what its all about.Kinda like when Michell Wie walked on the course at Agusta.
i dont see why not they do it in golf
If they like to lose!!! Ok, It was just a joke. I think they should as long as it is the same for everyone across the board.
Why not? Was there ever an actual rule that they couldn't? What would have been the rationale?
I see no problem with women competing against men in any non-contact sport/competition. I can't imagine why some of the pros would have been put-off by there being a woman in the Classic, particularly since there have been others in years past.
They do it in golf, nascar, nba, college football and under, hunting, why not fishing?
Nate
As long as the women are as good as the men, let them compete, why not. Generally women don't compete agaist men because it is unfair for one or the other. If they can be on even terms and women have a realistic chance of winning, let them compete.
why not let them, it's a wonder on how they're only now starting to compete, i know some women that could easily win against any one.
The fish doesn't give a rip whether a man or woman is on the other end of the line. I think more women should compete if they are skilled enough. The problem of "facilities" in a boat can be addressed by a port-a-potty under the seat, most tournament boats have everything else. If not, there is always that secluded slough on the lake...........
Look out, boys. Danica is beating men in ridiculously powerful cars, and soon enough, a woman in will show up and beat men in ridiculously powerful boats.
I see no reason whatsoever for women not to compete against the men, neither has any kind of physical advantage or disadvantage, being bigger and stronger does not help you catch fish.
She did alright, not great but she didn't finish last.
Sure, but they have to play by the same set of rules as the guys do. One of my pet peeves are women who want to compete with the guys claiming equality but then claiming that they need to play by different rules to compensate for differences between the gender.
Unless the competition involves peeing off a porch or lifting a loot of weight, why not?
Of course, If I won a world championship in a sport that excluded anyone, for any reason, I could not consider myself the world champion. We all know that some sports are better suited to a certain gender but, there are always exceptions.
The outdoor sports are not gender specific nor is there any valid reason to make them such.
Why not? I'd want to compete against everybody, not just have the population.
I can't see any reason why women could not compete in Fishing on the same level as men. It isn't exactly Rugby now is it? However, I think it would take a while for Women to reach the highest levels of competition simply because there aren't as many women competing.
I don't think there's any difference between sexes in fishing, this isn't weight lifting folks. As long as the rules remain the same for both, i.e. in golf women get to tee off closer, it must be they can't see as well as men. Just keep a level playing field and I don't care.
How would this impact ranking in Female Bass Pro Category? Just because one woman places in men's category, doesn't mean they should be ranked higher than a female winner in women's category. Overall, it come's down to big money pots, and all professional bass fisherpeople WANT THE MONEY LEBOWSKI.
I think tat women should compete with men because it would show their talent and skill
Why not let the girls fish (preferably in a bikini). Most of them look a lot better than the men.
Post a Comment