Here's a cautionary tale showing the inherent dangers in taking up windsurfing. It was taken from a posting to the rec.windsurfing newsgroup. The author is replying to a question asked about the wisdom of windsurfing while pregnant.
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From: JTTC98A@prodigy.com (Dennis Raulin)
Newsgroups: rec.windsurfing
Subject: Re: windsurfing pregnant
Date: 9 Oct 1995 22:45:40 GMT
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Well Maggie, I've got a serious windsurfing addiction. I have a three 
year old and a thirteen year old. I learned to sail when the eldest was a 
toddler but his sibling was not quite so lucky. I sailed the first three 
months no problem. Usually I sail thru Jan and Feb- pretty brutal in 
Maryland- I didn't sail that year til late Spring. I got out a number of 
times but went out when I was 35 weeks, crammed into my wetsuit on a big 
south ~20 k with big chop- I knew after a few runs it was a bad idea- I 
tried to avoid jumping but every time I came down I felt a fullness in my 
lower abdomen. My water broke 3 days later which my midwife didn't 
directly attribute to the windsurfing. I am a nurse practitioner and was 
working and on my feet all day also. But I'll never know for sure and 
will always feel a little guilty. The baby was fine but because he was 
early he initially had some respiratory problems.  I wouldn't recommend 
any hard core bump and jump sailors continueing the whole 9 months- flat 
water might be better. Juggling work marriage kids and windsurfing is a 
perpetual balancing act but when it all works it's excellent. Aileen 
Raulin Chesapeake Beach, Md
PS I'm going to Hatteras for 4 days alone next week- wish me wind- I'm 
hoping for a fresh crop of calluses and some seriously sore muscles.
Back to my
homepage.
Last modified: Thu Jul 30 14:31:23 BST 1998