Betty PIPELINE - Betties360 - Betties360 Pipeline, 2008.pdf · BettyPIPELINE Our mission: inspire well-being in women and girls through action sports and outdoor adventure.-1-in this

PIPELINEBetty

Our mission: inspire well-being in women and girls through action sports and outdoor adventure.

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in this issue

betties 2007 Recap - catch up on the Betties’ adventures over the past year, including rock climbing at Smith Rock, windsurfing in Hood River, and hosting our first annual auction and fundraiser! ... pages 2-4

betties GIRL - Katia’s inspirational story of get-ting involved with Betties and changing her out-look on wellness and adventure... page 5

Local betties - b360 catches up with local rock-climbing betty, Heather Wales, as she prepares to climb in Thailand.... page 6

Live INSPIRED - a look at what’s new in the world of women’s adventure sports... page 7

play * run * live * laugh * breathe * strive * grow * inspire

Spring 2008 * Volume 3 * Number 1

betties Rock! Rock-climbing fundraiserFriday, May 2 at 7pm@ The Circuit bouldering gym. For information: [email protected] betties Rock! Outdoor adventure weekendMay 17-18, 2008Smith Rock, OR

betty newsupcoming events

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betty news 2007 RECAP

betties360 REACHES NEW HEIGHTS AT SMITH ROCK‘betties Rock!’ Taught Rock Climbing, Encouraged Confidence at First-ever

Overnight Outdoor Climbing Program

betties360 completed its first overnight outdoor rock climbing program, betties Rock!, at Smith Rock State Park on April 28-29, 2007 – and it was an outstanding success! After its popularity in 2006 as a full-day climbing training, betties decided to tack on an additional day of activity, add an overnight, and really teach the girls how to rock climb and challenge themselves outdoors in the elements.

With the help of 14 volunteers and mentors, six Portland-area girls from Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI) and Girl Scouts Beyond Bars were taught a hands-on rock climbing curriculum by local climb-ing instructors Erica Hranicka and Lara Scudder, which included top roping 60 ft. routes, learning climbing-specific safety curriculum and com-mands, and basic knot tying and gear knowl-edge. The girls also participated in a photogra-phy project, team building and goal-setting exer-cises, all working toward the central mission of betties360 – to inspire well being in women and girls through action sports and outdoor adven-tures, building confidence through healthy activity and new challenges.

Briana braves the heights at Smith Rock, Oregon

“In the four years that betties360 has been teaching outdoor skills to young women, this is the first time we’ve had the opportunity to teach them to rock climb outdoors on a challenging route, surrounded by other climbers and such a strong support network ,” said Kirsten Smith, director and co-founder of betties. “It was so inspiring to see girls who have never put even one foot on a rock scale a 60 ft. route and see the view from the top for the first time. The confidence that builds is exponential, and we just had a blast!”

This year’s betties Rock! program is slated for May 17-18 at Smith Rock State Park, with a pre-event fundraiser on April 11. For more information, to sign up for the fundraiser, or for volunteer information, visit http://www.betties360.org.

betty: /bet”ty/ n. girls in action sports, girl skateboarder or snowboarder. See also: courage, strength, adventure.

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betty news 2007 RECAP

betties360 RODE THE WINDS IN SUPPORT OF OUTDOOR ADVENTURE‘Sur�n’ betties’ Taught Windsur�ng in the Windsur�ng Capitol of the Northwest

betties360 was at it again July 21-22 in the Columbia River Gorge, teaching windsur�ng in partnership with the Columbia Gorge Windsurf-ing Association (CGWA) at The Hook in Hood River – the windsur�ng capitol of the North-west!

The CGWA, one of the largest and most success-ful windsur�ng associations in the United States (http://windsurf.gorge.net/cgwa/), provided all equipment for the Sur�n’ betties program, as well as expert instruction by Jerry-ann Devlin, Ari Goodman and CGWA executive director Katie Crafts.

The girls were taught windsur�ng basics and by the end of the weekend, everyone could haul up their sails and move! In addition to the cruising, Zoe Najim, who won 3rd place in the Gorge Freestyle Frenzy (the biggest freestyle windsurf-ing event in the US.) stopped by to speak to the girls about what it took to reach her goals. Temira Wagonfeld, the winner of the Freestyle Frenzy, also came out in support of betties360.

This year’s Sur�n’ betties program is slated for August at the Hook at Hood River, with a pre-event fundraiser in July. For more information, to sign up for the fundraiser, or for volunteer information, visit http://www.betties360.org.

Zoe Najim spoke to the girls about setting and reaching their goals.

Under April Snyder’s watchful eye, the rigs slowly rise!

hood river gorge facts:Famous windsurfing: Hood River Gorge is famous as one of the best windsurfing spots in the world!

Famous fruit: Apples, pears, and berries are all popular crops around Hood River

Famous snowsports: Mt. Hood provides nearby access to skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and mountaineering.

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betty news 2007 RECAP

Fine Wine & Feather Boas 2007What a wonderful evening we had thanks to all of you!

The Jean Vollum Natural Capital Center, also known as the Ecotrust Building, was awash with colorful feather boas, cocktail gowns, mountain climbing boots, crampons and Cabernet. You were there in celebration of betties360, and we sincerely thank you for your support!

The evening started out with a silent auction, where friends unknowingly bid against one another to the end for outdoor gear, wine, evenings on the town, long weekend getaways, and picnic paraphernalia. Roy Jay, our auctioneer extraordinaire, entertained and reminded us of our cause for the evening, while o�ering such amazing packages as a month of beauty, a wellness package, a trip to the Oregon coast, a Northwest backpacking trip, and a sail boat ride.

A highlight was the slideshow of the betties360 girls and women in our programs, reminding us who and what we are striving for.

As Eddie Passadore, our MC for the evening, put it, “One day when we meet someone, rather than being asked what you do for work, you will be asked what organization you volunteer for. ”

The evening came to a close with the wine exchange – guests chose a bottle from among all the wines left at the display kayak and the beginning of the evening. Hearing some hoots and hollers makes me think some people were very pleased with their party favors.

As the lights came up and all that was left were every color of feather coating the Ecotrust �oor, I couldn’t stop smiling and I was so grateful to all of you. Our ongoing mission can now be accomplished this year: empower girls and women through adventure sports and outdoor activities.

I can’t thank the betties360 board of directors, sta�, volunteers, mentors, and girls enough for their spirit of giving back.

We’ll look forward to seeing you again – at the Fine Wine & Feather Boas 2008!

-Stephanie Kaplan, NDPresident, betties360

A special thank you to the following sponsors for making our �rst annual event a huge success. Also, many thanks to Skyline Strategies, Inc. for all your help and support – we couldn’t have done it without you!

Alder Creek KayakAnisha – Center for Holistic HealthBig WindsThe Circuit Bouldering GymMary EberleEcoShuttleLondon In�uence Salon

Winifred MillerKristina PassadoreEddie PassadoreMolly Pucillo and FriendsREISolsticeStar�ower Passion

I met Katia when I was visiting her school recruiting girls for the MTB betties program. There were eleven to thirteen girls there that day and they all seemed so eager to try out the program. As I was talking to the girls about the program Katia came over and sat by me, listening intently. When I finished talking about betties and the mountain biking program, I asked who would like to get involved, they all came to me and grabbed forms to take home. I noticed that Katia was hesitant and it seemed that she was thinking about something, so I asked her if she was interested. She shook her head yes and then asked me if doing the program would help her lose weight. I told her that I thought that she would have fun and that the exercise would feel good and be good for her body. I wanted her to focus on having a fun experience instead of focusing on her weight. She ended up taking the forms home that night. I wasn’t really sure if she would join the program, and hoped that I had said the right things to interest her in trying something new.

Katia was there on the first day and seemed ready to go but also a little nervous. During the first day everyone paired with a mentor. Katia’s mentor was Lauren Fein. They hit it off right away! Lauren was also a beginner which bonded them even more. Throughout the program they looked out for each other, there was a time when Katia had really pushed herself to the point that she was exhausted and seemed like she wanted to quit trying. Lauren and the instructor asked Katia if she felt like she needed to stop for awhile and she decided to take a break. We weren’t really sure if Katia would get back on the bike that day, but she did. The second day was a little more challenging because we weren’t on flat ground, we were in the hills of Post Canyon where there were sharp turns, wet rocks and steep hills. This trail really challenged everyone. Katia faced the challenge with courage and strength. At one point Katia was exhausted and really struggling with the obstacles on the trail. The volunteers were concerned she had reached her limit and offered her the option of going back to the meeting place. Katia looked up with a big smile, tears still welling in her eyes and said, “why would I do that?

I’m ok and I’m going to keep going.” She took the break that she

needed and hopped right back on her bike and finished the trail with so much determination and strength that we all felt inspired. It was moving to see her face her fears and finish the trail with confidence.

During the program we discussed healthy and unhealthy risks and how to manage stress. Katia had learned that she needed to listen to her body when she was mountain biking and what it felt like to push herself to her limit. She also learned how to face her body and bike where she wanted to go and envision herself crossing the narrow bridge or riding over the wet rocks. As the second day progressed, Katia’s mentor Lauren faced a few challenges herself. Lauren who was also a beginner was finding some of the hills, wet rocks and narrow bridges to be challenging as well and at one time she had fallen and felt pretty discouraged. The roles were now reversed and Katia was there to help encourage her. Katia taught us through example that it’s okay to push your body to the limits and how important it is to stay focused on your goal despite obstacles.

I’ll never forget when Katia was at the top of a steep hill where at the end of the hill there was a narrow bridge. As the assistant instructor I hadn’t even attempted this bridge and wasn’t sure if Katia was going to try. When she got on her bike and started down the hill I was totally holding my breath and almost closed my eyes, but I watched her ride down and over the bridge. I was so ecstatic for her and everyone cheered her on. I’ll never forget the big smile on her face.

April Snyder, Program Director

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MTB BETTIES

Girls learn to ride MTB style.

The ladies who attended

our MTB betties program

learned mountain bike

skills, made some lifelong

friends . . . and got

muddy.

Not even a little Oregon

downpour on Sunday could

stop this bunch of rippin’

betties.

MTB betty,

Katia

PARTICIPANT HIGHLIGHT

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betties girl

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local betties

b360 sat down with local climbing betty, Heather Wales, as she prepares to travel to Thailand for a month of rock climbing along the beach.

From the betty files:name: Heather Walesage: 22hometown: Corvallis, OR

b360: Welcome, Heather. When did you start climbing, and what attracted you to try the sport? Heather: I started climbing when I got a job teaching rock climbing to kids. I thought it would be a good idea to know what I was teaching, and then I just fell in love with it when I began to climb outside.

b360: Now that you've been climbing for almost 4 years, what moti-vates you to keep training? Heather: I'm pretty competitive with myself, so I can't help but push myself to get better. Plus, training for climbing is easier because it’s fun even when it gets hard!

b360: Tell me about one of your scariest rock climbing moments and how you got through it. Heather: The first time that I took a lead fall... I'd been avoiding leading anything harder than a 5.9 because I was afraid of falling, so I jumped on Magic Light, a 5.11a climb at Smith that I knew I would fall on - I think I took at least one 15-20 ft fall. I don't think I have ever been so nervous in my life.

b360: Where are some of the places you've travelled to climb in the past? Heather: Smith Rock of course, Beacon Rock and Lewis and Clark Park near Portland, Bishop in California, Red Rocks in Las Vegas, Joe's Valley & Logan in Utah, and El Rito in New Mexico... and of course, on random rocks that friends and I find on road trips.

b360: What are some of the most important physical skills for a climber? Heather: I couldn't stress footwork more, especially if you are only 5'1'' like me. It’s more about how you use your feet than how many pull-ups you can do. Good climbers don't do pull ups to get them up the wall. b360: What are some of the most important mental skills for a climber? Heather: Perseverance and the ability to stay calm in stressful situations.

b360: What advice would you have for a girl just starting to learn how to climb? Heather: Don't get frustrated if it feels extremely awkward at first and don't be afraid to try out a bunch of new things. And watch others climb, its a great way for climbers to learn techniques.

b360: What is your favorite climb at Smith Rock? Heather: Revelations, a 5.9, but recently I tried Ring of Fire (5.11d) which I loved.

b360: What other activities do you do to stay healthy? Heather: Mainly running and hiking but I'm willing to try any sport at least once to keep it fun.

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live inspired!

about betties360:Betties360 is a registered Oregon 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire well being in women and girls through action sports and outdoor adventures. The organization was founded in 2004 and has taught nearly 100 women and girls outdoor skills and action sports to build confidence and change lives. Betties360 programs include day trips and overnights for rock climbing, windsurfing, backpacking, snowshoeing and mountain biking. For more information, please contact Kristen Smith, betties360 director and co-founder, at 503.407.9272 or [email protected], or visit the betties360 Web site at http://www.betties360.org.

“I can't remember a single time that I was prevented from doing what I wanted because

I was a female, either on the rock or in the mountains.”Around the World...

What’s going on in the wide world of women’s sports

SURF: 2008 Women’s Rip Curl ProMarch 19-24

Bells Beach, Australia

ADVENTURE: bettysport Adventure RaceJune 28

Bastrop, Texas

CLIMB: Red Rock RendezvousMarch 28-30

Red Rock Canyon, Nevada

RUN: Women’s Olympic Marathon TrialsApril 20

Boston, Massachusetts

TRI: XTERRA Vashon Island Offroad TriathlonJuly 13

Vashon Island, Washington

- Annie Whitehouse, women’s climbing pioneer