I am writing this message to try to inspire more women to attempt the Lancelin Ocean Marathon.
Last year out of almost 130 entrants only 5 were women, this is very sad.
The marathon has a bit of a fearsome reputation, but actually it can be a lovely sail if you manage to guess the right gear for the conditions and are fit. It is also very safe as there are lots of rescue craft.
I have entered the last 3 years and managed to complete every time. Sometimes it was pretty gruelling, but I am just a middle-aged recreational windsurfer who learnt to windsurf at age 40. So if I can do it, so can you!
Even if you don't make it to the finish line, just going in the race is pretty exciting. You get to sail with some amazing windsurfers (like Karen Jaggi) and be inspired.
... and you really feel like you've earned that drink afterwards.
Don't look on it as a race, look on it as an adventure.
