“It's a challenge, It's hard to get a wave”: the Impact of constraInts on women surf tourIsts

Abstract

This article aims to explore active female surfers' constraints associated with surf tourism. A qualitative, interpretive research paradigm informed by feminist perspectives was utilized. Twenty female surf tourists were interviewed in an effort to address the study's objectives. Semistructured in-depth interviews were the main data collection method, allowing women to freely speak about their experiences. Analysis of these interviews revealed a range of personal, sociocultural, and practical constraints, which worked to limit these women prior to or during engagement in surf tourism. It became evident that the major constraints that hindered women were “the unknown” and management of logistics. In addition, women felt constrained by their financial resources and by being a minority as a female surfer. These findings are discussed in relation to existing leisure constraint theories identifying similarities to constraints encountered in other kinds of tourism. Furthermore, this study's findings support assumptions of constraints being equally enabling as well as restricting, thus demonstrating a positive relationship between constraint and experience.

The Interrelationship between Personality Traits and Psychological Constraints on Adventure Activity Participation

“…encountering localism and lack of travel companions) as well as practical constraints such as managing logistics and limited finances. Whereas many studies have focused on constraints as something negative, Fendt and Wilson (2012) found that female surfers actually valued moving past constraints and felt that this enhanced their surfing experience, even more than if no constraints were present. When a person has to struggle to overcome a mental or physical challenge within reach, eudaimonic feelings occur with a sense of psychological well-being (Moen & Vittersø, 2015;Ryan & Deci, 2001).…”

“…The results showed that intrapersonal constraints are demotivating for individuals, whereas structural and interpersonal constraints showed no relationship to motivation (Alexandris et al, 2002). Motivation has also been connected to 13 participation in the adventure activity of surfing in that constraints are less powerful the higher the motivation for participation (Fendt & Wilson, 2012), proving the connection between personality and participation.…”

“…motivation for leisure and locus of control (Crawford & Godbey, 1987). Interestingly, it is also known that the experience will be perceived more positively, and self-mastery will be greater, if one has overcome intrapersonal constraints rather than not having perceived them at all (Fendt & Wilson, 2012). This goes to show that psychological constraints are central in what one might experiences as barriers when considering participation in an activity.…”

“…Taking a female specific approach to adventure tourism activities constraints, Fendt and Wilson (2012) found that female surfers were most often hindered by personal constraints such as "the unknown" and the challenge of being a female surfer, which is still considered a minority in surfing culture. Female surfers also experienced sociocultural constraints (e.g.…”

Gender Differences in Vacation Behavior

“…In studies of entrepreneurship Max and Ballereau (2013) argue for more attention to female entrepreneurs, who are the object of skewed underrepresentation in the mass media in that they are depicted as women, whereas men are depicted as entrepreneurs. Fendt and Wilson (2012) looked into female surfers constraints, pinpointing that personal, sociocultural, and practical constraints where all felt among the informants. They also suggested that "traditional societal perceptions of females belonging to the domestic sphere" and that "surfing is still a male oriented leisure activity" is partly the reason why women feel disadvantaged in the surf due to their gender (Fendt & Wilson, 2012, p. 345).…”