RastaRicanAir 0 #26 June 5, 2008 Money. Moving. Having to pack all weekend for money. Looking after two fantastic kids. Having to plan boogies around four people instead of one or two. Money. Fatigue. Winter. Money. Moving again. Living 3 hours from the nearest (non-tourist-y) dropzone. Money. Working weekends for money because the job market sucks. Gas. And of course, money. Yeah. I'd say I feel ya. I've had more "breaks" than I've ever had consecutive jumping weekends. But as you can see, I make it a point to keep in touch with community. Right now it's working a lame job that requires one weekend day while studying for my Yoga Teacher Certification. It blows. Certainly. We do what we need to do, and in between those things we do what we want. If we hold out long enough, eventually that balance tips in our favor. ..............I hope. OrFunV/LocoBoca Rodriguez/Sonic Grieco/Muff Brother #4411 -"and ladies....messin with Robbie is venturing into territory you cant even imagine!-cuz Robbie is Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,514 #27 June 5, 2008 I quit about 20 years ago, and started again 7 years ago. I had more to do with my life than left room for skydiving. Skydiving for me is a part of life, not its definition. Yes, it might change in the next few years with fuel prices, availability, etc. But, ya know -- there are millions of happy people without skydiving. And, ya know, I was one of them for much of that time. Skydiving is a lagniappe, not the main course. But that's me. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jsaxton 0 #28 June 5, 2008 Well I'm glad that you're back. We need more 100way jumpers! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livendive 8 #29 June 5, 2008 That's a funny thing to ask around here. Some days it seems like 3/4 of the people here are on a "break" from skydiving. Personally, my answer would depend on what you consider a break. Taking the winter off? A couple months following a surgery? Blues, Dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
psipike02 0 #30 June 5, 2008 Wow, first thanks to everyone so far who has responded. I never would have guessed that this many people had/shared similar experiences. It makes me feel like I am making the right decision for now. As far as livendive's question, I consider a break to be any period of time in which you aren't skydiving due to some personal/life issue that you need to resolve or that is of more importance.Puttin' some stank on it. ----Hellfish #707---- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
psipike02 0 #31 June 5, 2008 To answer galvar's question too, I tried, but my DZ already has packers and I can't afford to give up my weekends right now due to these two exams i'm studying for....Puttin' some stank on it. ----Hellfish #707---- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bloody_trauma 2 #32 June 6, 2008 The army makes it hard for me to jump, when you consider that the nearest place to jump for me is usually in excess of 100 miles... I'm fightin just to get through my levels let alone my A license. every time i get ready to go again i have enough money for a few jumps and retraining fees. this has just precipitated the dropzone vs. wal-mart thread Fly it like you stole it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaM 0 #33 June 6, 2008 I have made 1 jump in the past 6 1/2 years. Dedicated a couple of years to traveling for our son for karate tournaments. Now we need to spend our money on stuff like gas and groceries. ~ Lisa ~ Do you Rigminder? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LyraM45 0 #34 June 6, 2008 I've been taking "breaks" for the past five years since I started jumping. Jumped some the first year as I was still in high school, but when I went away to college and had to sell the gear to help pay for school and all, it was on and off throughout the five years of school. My longest break was on two occasions; a year each time, and I'm just over a year for the second occasion and ready to get back in the game since I graduated (finally) and got some new gear (finally). BUT... then again theres "life"-- bills, student loans, gas prices going up, so I might be holding onto that gear for a while. So... just do whatever you need to do and take it as it rolls is the best thing I can tell you. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark24688m 0 #35 June 6, 2008 QuoteI really do not believe that we'll be skydiving in another 15 years. I really hope I'm wrong, I really do. I'd hate to take a break, try to come back and find that skydiving has been regulated and priced out of existence. talk about depressssssssing Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jessica 0 #36 June 6, 2008 I quit skydiving about four years ago. It was a great way to spend my early 20s, and I miss it in an abstract way. But now I am busy being married, gestating children, being a homeowner, changing careers, etc. I am very, very happy without skydiving, which was a source of great fun, but also great stress, both emotional and financial. I can see myself being Wendy-ish, and coming back when my kids are less, er, fetal. I can also see myself taking up paragliding or windsurfing or piloting, instead. There's a world full of adventure out there.Skydiving is for cool people only Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thirdworld19 0 #37 June 7, 2008 Just curious as a newbie, but of those people who have to take breaks due to recuperating, are the injuries skydiving related, normal wear n tear, or injuries from other sports or other issues? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryno1972 0 #38 June 7, 2008 I have had several breaks due to finances, family etc. So far I am at over a year since my last skydive. I have three kids now and JUST returned from an Iraq deployment 13 days ago. I really want to get back into it, but right now my kids are my biggest priority. I missed them so much during my deployment. My wife is also working now (she started back 2 months ago) and she does a lot of traveling. Hopefully I can get back and jump a little this summer. I miss it, but like you said, it is expensive and the dropzone is 2.5 hour drive. You can always talk s@#t in the Bonfire though, I also really like to read the safety and training forums, that kind of keeps jumping/procedures in my head (even though nothing compares to the real thing). later Ryanglad to be here!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryno1972 0 #39 June 7, 2008 Oh yeah, another year break for a broken Tibia, it was a static line jump (an Army jump, they suck!!).glad to be here!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites