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.
Path: maths.tcd.ie!ieunet!EU.net!newsfeed.internetmci.com!solaris.cc.vt.edu!swiss.ans.net!prodigy.com!usenet
From: JTTC98A@prodigy.com (Dennis Raulin)
Newsgroups: rec.windsurfing
Subject: Re: windsurfing pregnant
Date: 9 Oct 1995 22:45:40 GMT
Organization: Prodigy Services Company 1-800-PRODIGY
Lines: 20
Distribution: world
Message-ID: <45c8mk$ggs@usenetp1.news.prodigy.com>
References: <454t19$1p02@usenetp1.news.prodigy.com>
NNTP-Posting-Host: inugap3.news.prodigy.com
X-Newsreader: Version 1.2
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.
Last modified: Thu Jul 30 14:31:23 BST 1998