countryside lass Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 I'd like to hear people's opinions on the subject of female instructors for clay shooting. I shoot regularly and like to think that I'm a half decent shot but I'm always struck by the lack of other female shooters. Plenty of ladies turn up to score for their other halves but not many seem inclined to have a go themselves. Not sure whether it's fear of the gun, or the noise or what it is that's putting them off. I've contacted BASC to see if they have any courses that might be available so I can train to be an instructor - purely with the intention of encouraging other ladies to try the sport. Lots of country shows that have clay shoots operate 'Have a Go' stands for the general public but I've yet to see one where a lady was instructing. There's usually lots of women watching but very few try it out, maybe this would change if there was a female instructor?? Working on similar lines to lady driving instructors and lady dentists being less frightening than their male counterparts to female customers, perhaps shooting ought to acknowledge that a different approach might encourage a few more people to participate?? Feel free to disagree.......!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJN Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 Fennes two female trainers, "lock frock and barrel" another female..... we have plenty around here ! M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artschool Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 there was an episode on fieldsports tv about this, they had a ladies only morning at a clayground and it was sucessful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 This may be contoversial but i dont think most men like either women driving instructors or shooting instructors and since men are at least half the potential client base then perhaps this supports the view that there are a lot less women than men instructors ? I would be happy to have a shooting lesson from a really top flight female instructor - women generally tend to be more patient and helpful in an instructor role - probably find it difficult without a box to see over your shoulder though ! I'm all for it. It will be interesting to see whether men or women agree - you might run a poll to get the answer ! Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJN Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 I don't have a problem with female instructors breathing in my ear to tell me "you behind it " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougall Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 Bisley have run Lady days for along time and in Sarah have a great coach. A did the APSI course about 5 years ago and of the 9/10 or so doing it 3 were Ladies. Personally I am totally neutral on the sex of a coach for me personally.If anyhing I think I would actually favour a female of equal ability for Children,better listeners in general. I do not know the split in terms of SGC holders but would guesstimate 20 to 1,I guess guns have always been a boy thing. Ability wise though shots like Cheryl Hall and Charlotte Kerwood are exceptional. I have no daughters and a wife who quite simply hates guns..I got her to fire a 28 gauge on a holiday and she absolutely hated it.. For the good of the sport I would love to see more women involved as it could only do the world of shooting good as the impression of non-shooters,whether we like it or not is that of macho people(men) in camo killing things,and anything that changes that perception is welcome. Please get more of your friends shooting,they are incredibly welcome! ATB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 100% in agreement with you Doughall and 120% in agreement about changing the 'camo' image of shooting. As you say there are some very good women shots and it would improve our sport if there were considerably more. Ladys seem to be well represented in the rifle shooting community though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 Elena Alan and abbey burton both top shots coach BASC run ladies only events not sure if they use female instructors for those events or not. My GF will shoot but is happier to button for me ( I don't know why) all the women I know who have had a go enjoyed it but don't seem to want to do it again? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
countryside lass Posted March 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 Interesting responses so far........thanks to those who have posted replies. I don't disagree that the majority of male shooters would not be particularly interested in having lessons from a lady instructor and I doubt very much if anyone would actually deliberately book a lesson with a woman. My reason for posting this topic was to see if a female instructor would encourage more WOMEN to shoot - on the theory that it is less intimidating/scary in the same way that female driving instructors tend to have a high percentage of female customers. Have a Go stands are - in my experience - always run by men and if you question the ladies watching in the crowds, they seem to be more scared of the guys holding the gun than they are of the gun itself. Shooting is scary to people that haven't tried it before - maybe because of the 'macho blokes in camo image' - but it will not change unless it comes across as a sport that can be experienced and enjoyed by all. Ladies' days at clay grounds work because the women going know there will be other women there too - maybe it's a psychological thing?? Keep posting replies please, it's interesting to see what people have to say......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 I think a female instructor might well attract more women to have a go. I have seen a number of women shooting for the first time and put off by their other half. This ranges from impatience with their wife / girlfriend to letting them hold the butt away from their shoulder, so that they get a real thump in the shoulder. It might be a generalisation, which I don't particularly like, but men seem to offer genuine advice to other men, whilst taking the mickey out of or patronising female shooters. I am prepared for the rush of male shooters who cannot subscribe to that view. However, this is what I have observed at a fair number of grounds, over many years. I can see why many would be female shooters might assume a male instructor might of the same ilk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artschool Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 I don't have a problem with female instructors breathing in my ear to tell me "you behind it " http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXH4vDQWptU&feature=related Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougall Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 Would love to see Lady instructors views on a)encouraging more Women and b)What is it like teaching men. Reading between the lines of some of these responses and indeed Country Lasses thoughts it is us Men who put Ladies off to some degree.I think it is this along with 'I'm a bit scared of the gun' 'will it kick/hurt me' are the main barriers,but more responses from females and especially female instructors would be far more interesting than these witterings of a 40 something old ***. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 (edited) My mum fired a 12 in a feild at 17 ish didn't touch a gun again (40 years+)till I took her for a proper lesson at a proper ground with an experienced instructor, she loved it and commented on how little recoil there was (is going back with 3 female colleagues next month). I personally don't think any male shooters (particularly husbands, boyfriends, fathers) should introduce women and kids to shooting shotguns and should let the trained coaches do it. It's not about ability but the relationship between you ( be honest does your missus listen to you? She will a coach even if you are a better shot!) Edited March 31, 2011 by HDAV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex C Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 I had about 10 lessons before i bought my own gun and started on my own. I went to a school in Bedale, Warren Gill, and was instructed by a lady called Ann. She was fantastic and i found myself much more able to listen and understand what she was trying to tell me. Maybe the lack of bravado actually helped me as when i had a lesson with a male instructor i seemed to shoot worse and listen less Maybe i am just pre programmed by years of marriage to listen to all women intently Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XD2 Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 I have only been shooting a short while now, but I haven't noticed a lack of female instructors although I can agree there is a lot more men at the grounds I have visited. The Trap lessons I have been having are with a lady instructor and also when I went to the BASC Training Morning yesterday they were also assessing some Female Instructors one of whome gave me a lesson. I have been more then happy with being taught by a lady but don't have any reference for comparison. On the original point, I do think more woman would be willing to try it with a female instructor, as it probably is more comfortable, but the problem doesn't seem to be the lack of females running lessons, it seems to be the issue of letting the non-shooters know they are there. As said a lot probably presume the instructor will be a guy, maybe shooting grounds should make a point of stating they have female instructors on their websites/marketing material. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canis Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 I've been shooting clays about 8 or 9 years and have had a couple of breaks from shooting during this time largely due to financial pressures. when restarting i have always had a lesson or two, largely to break all my instinctive rifle shooting habits.The last time was with a lady instructor and she did a good job! I would recomend her to someone asking for a coach. One friend (who had no real interest in shooting) came shooting with me once to a club and had a "have a go lesson" with a rather attractive lady instructor. He then spent most of the journey home drooling! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 I don't think it would make a differnce, most lessons are booked 'blind' are they not? I have only had 2 proper lessons with a school and had no idea who was teaching me until I turned up on the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzrat Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 I dont think that more lady instructors would bring more ladies into shooting, however I think more grounds doing ladies days/sessions at a sensible price would really work. If you take another fairly male dominated sport, Golf. My club runs various ladies clinics and the total beginners clinic is very well attended. Taught by male pros they cost a bucket of balls per session and the coaching comes for free. The pro shop more than makes their money back with the ladies going on to buy clubs, shoes, gloves etc. Great way for me to practise too, the missus goes off with the pro and the girls and has her beginners session and I can hit a few balls at the other end of the range, meet up after for a bevvie in the clubhouse and its "together time" Take 5 ladies out on a skeet range charge them cost price for clays and carts for a 5 week course, you will hook at least 1 of them who will then spend hubbys hard earned on a new gun (while he is on the next layout practicing ) and the sessions have paid for themselves. Simples Ladies like to do new things without the men folk watching and judging :yp: Fuzrat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Duncan Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 I'd like to hear people's opinions on the subject of female instructors for clay shooting. I shoot regularly and like to think that I'm a half decent shot but I'm always struck by the lack of other female shooters. Plenty of ladies turn up to score for their other halves but not many seem inclined to have a go themselves. Not sure whether it's fear of the gun, or the noise or what it is that's putting them off. I've contacted BASC to see if they have any courses that might be available so I can train to be an instructor - purely with the intention of encouraging other ladies to try the sport. Lots of country shows that have clay shoots operate 'Have a Go' stands for the general public but I've yet to see one where a lady was instructing. There's usually lots of women watching but very few try it out, maybe this would change if there was a female instructor?? Working on similar lines to lady driving instructors and lady dentists being less frightening than their male counterparts to female customers, perhaps shooting ought to acknowledge that a different approach might encourage a few more people to participate?? Feel free to disagree.......!! Personally, I think that more lady instructors on the scene would be 1 - refreshing 2 - probably would attract a more mixed atmosphere by positively encouraging more ladies to take part 3 - Probably encourage more chaps to take part You'll get the odd chauvinist who'll be intimidated by a lady instructor, but hey! that's life! I see nothing negative with your suggestion Duncan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COACH Posted April 2, 2011 Report Share Posted April 2, 2011 (edited) An absolute yes from me, it would help the sport immensely. In fact I may be looking for a lady instructor or two to join me later in the year with a project I have lined up. Edited April 5, 2011 by COACH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alastair0903 Posted April 2, 2011 Report Share Posted April 2, 2011 An absolute yes from me, it would help the sport immensely. i agree 100% Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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