Work, family, work, family, work,work work and then (after 12 years) a strange itch and once scratched, it was "yes dear I will sell that motorbike.....so I can buy some formula gear"
I quit for a few years after starting a business and building it up. After selling it (great way to make money) I've been able to get back into windsurfing but due to injury have had to temporarily give it up again
I quit for about 5 or 6 years and it was the worst thing I ever did.
After sailing for about 5yrs, I stopped sailing for a season due to wrist problems and then started spending more time with my hotted up car .... and then sold the WS gear to buy car bits. Shame.
Next thing I knew I had not thought about WS'ing for a few years.
One day I drove past the beach in summer and saw the guys going off in 25kn .... almost brought me to tears, and I thought "what the hell have I done?".
Borrowed 2K the next day, bought gear and started again. The hot car lasted another 6 months before I didn't want sand in it and it was gone.
Now been back in for 8yrs or so and the wrists have never hurt, not once. Ankle and shoulder different story 
but I won't quit now until I physically can't rig up anymore.
I stopped for ten years after having kids.
At first I was just too tired and busy, but also my husband didn't like being left home with the baby.
I couldn't bear to part with my gear, and that was the lucky thing, because if I had I would never have gone back into it.
I can't quite remember what triggered the idea of doing it again. I think I just decided once my son was 10 that he was big enough to have a go, so I hauled out the gear. (It was quite inappropriate of course, so I had to go out and buy a kids rig and board). Once I was back on the water there was no looking back, although I don't think I've recovered the style and speed and prowess I once had. Maybe my imagination is better than my memory!
Anyway both kids are now sailing and I am as keen as ever.
I quit for 14 years.
Was a student, limited funds meant windsurfing or beer. I chose beer.
I then started sailing on boats and yachts.
My last boat was a 49er, and when my regular crew was unable to commit as much time as I liked, I decided to sell the boat and I bought windsurfing gear again.
And here I am - loving it.
JB
I moved upcountry about an hour from the water so I eased off sailing, only a few times a year.I still worked down near the water but o/t & early getup ( 4am) + 2hrs commute meant the odds of catching wind & having the energy was rare.Then I got RSI & was medically retired & a vege ( practically ) for 4years.I thought Id never be able to sail again.I couldnt even look down or sit etc without getting an instant headache..anyway..luckily I didnt sell the gear.I thought about it..I finally managed to get healthy enough to start again & it has been just the psychological boost I've needed!Actually it was the fact that I managed to build myself up so I could ride a pushbike again that got me thinking maybe I could sailboard..(First time I rode the bike around our turning circle I got an instant headache/flareup).
Still struggling to get back to my former " glory" .. probably never will & suffer from RSI flareups as a result of sailboarding but its worth it!.. so long as I get some @## decent wind!
Actually Id forgotten what it was like to do something exhilarating..should have heard the whoops the first time I managed to do it again!
Moved to Canbrrrr to turn the wheels of government. Dragged the board and rig down the coast for a couple years every time we went down in summer - had 20 mins of decent sailing the whole time. Went through denial, anger, mourning.
Took up skiing big time. Downhilling, then XCD out the back. Best time for XCD was spring so I never got down the NSW coast when it was windy. 14 years passed.
Anyway, got long service leave and made it a goal to go windsurfing again. Came over to WA and stayed in Lancelin and hired gear from Werner. The bug bit big. I recall lying in the water getting ready to waterstart, the sun glinting on the waves and the coast in the background, thinking, I've gotta be doing this again.
Within three months the house was sold, the family was packed (kicking and screaming), and we started our new life in WA. Six years later, we're all loving it still (even the family!).
Actually, I may have got the wrong end of the stick.
I quit smoking 16 years ago, never looked back.
Gave up for almost 2 months due to lack of wind. I'm serious!
I have just given notice at my work even though I had flexible hours, in the hope my new business can be more wind friendly. Thinking of calling it 'Force 4' and my motto is 'I don't work in a force 5'. (safety issues I say) Bit worried about the reality of it though!
Broke my neck and ankle....not windsurfing, so couldn't sail for 10 months. Haggar tell us your story. Now haven't sailed for 5 weeks due to red frigging arrows.
15 year break, then 3 year break...........
Started windsurfing at end of 1985, went to uni 1987, no car, therefore no windsurfing. Moved back to Yeppoon in 2001 and didn't sail until mid 2002 (just like riding a bike - didn't really forget). Was really getting back into it when in mid 2003 tore my patella tendon (100% rupture) playing Rugby. Knee wasn't right for a while and with 3 kids in quick succession didn't get back into until 2007.
Cannot believe I missed wasted 18 years in total of a possible 22 not sailing. Presently living to windsurf or is that windsurfing to live.
I stopped for about 4 years because i was studying and riding freestyle bikes and couldn't afford to replace broken gear from both sports eventualy forgot how good it was, i dropped into my local shop to say high and seen some cheap parts.
Bought what i needed and started again, realised water is way softer than concrete and wondered why the hell i stopped for so long, within 6 months had all new gear and now never been keener to sail, even moved across the country last year for more wind.. now been sailing since 1986 with the small gap in the middle and plan to be sailing as long as i can still walk and swim..
pretty serious knee injury wake-boarding on boxing day three years ago took me off the circuit for eighteen months.
getting sidelined in the middle of a summer is heartbreaking. kicking around the house on warm and windy summer days made me unbearable.
but getting back on the water finally was like coming home. the skills came back quickly and the pull is as strong as ever.
but getting back on the water finally was like coming home. the skills came back quickly and the pull is as strong as ever.
I wonder what happened to my skills? Think lack of sailing fitness & the fact that I only seem to be able to get out once every few weeks doesnt help..
I quit for years because I was so awesome, and had to wait for everyone to catch up.
baby 1, one year two months off, baby 2 - one year two months off, baby 3 - ws until 7 months pregnant, then one year off, knee reconstruction - one year, the last 3 winters cos work in the snow, skiing instead.
first 9 yrs, windsurf-holic........then 9 yrs qitted (be a responsible dad)....... from 08 again.....resume....till 9 square yrs old.....
Broke my first sail and couldn't afford to replace it on my 18 Y.O. salary (or lack of).
Got back into it when I found bit and pieces of old windsurfer stuff under the house and I thought "what the hell, why not."
Ive just realized your all talking out quitting sailing!.
10 year ago I gave up working(for a boss) and the landsailing went on the back burner, but the boats just seemed to get built and I would fit my work around sailing camping and babies.
then all the lakes dried up up, and we just slipped back into the landyachts.
after 10 years self employed I caved in , went to work for somebody, but came to my senses after 4 days , and pulled my finger out ,and went back to Self employed and sailing
