Taking an extended break...

[cbain 0]

I'm mulling over taking an extended break from skydiving. My husband and I were discussing it this weekend and we're both just not having fun anymore.

Have you taken a long break before? What was the reason? How long before you went back? What was it like coming back? Did you get rid of any gear or keep everything?

I have more than one reason for considering a break. It just hasn't been as fun as it used to be. There's been too much "as the prop turns" lately, don't like all the drama. Plus we haven't been able to jump all that much, only making it out every 1-2 months. I think I'm at less than 50 jumps for this past year due to money and time. I'm thinking it may be better to take a break for ~1 year or so and come back when finances won't be so difficult and we'll be able to jump more. I'm positive I'll come back to it, I'm just thinking some time away may do some good.

We're thinking about getting our dirt bikes running and picking that up for a while.

Christina

[DrunkMonkey 0]

Yes, took a yearlong break to build a jeep & pay more attention to my girl.

Money was a factor also. Needed to not blow every cent on jumping-had a house to take care of, as well as the cost of buying washer/dryer/laptop.

I'm sure that with a few coached jumps I'll shake off some rust.

It's a passttime, not a lifestyle.

[jumpergirl 0]

I took a year and 1/2 off, but it was due to a car accident. I did consider not coming back though. Even after I started jumping again in December I still thought maybe it was time to do something else. Then I finally started jumping a little bit more and realized that I love this sport as well as the people in it and I don't want to NOT jump. I might not jump as much as someone else, but I'll do what I can, when I can.

I don't see anything wrong with taking some time off to do something else. I think it's great, actually. I agree with the other guy's statement, "It's a past time, not a lifestyle." If you're not feeling the love, take a breather.

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[tandembrent 0]

i too am sitting on the fence about this also.

after a few bad personal choices, a very close call with the ground, 1 very close friends death jumping, 2 really shitty DZO's (a term applied loosely to those of which i speak) and of course the turning prop, i have been laboring over that very same thing! my thoughts are this, if i sell my gear the chances of me getting back into "the game" would be slim at best.

i think stepping back is the best answer for me, not out-right walking away. you don't have to make 500 or 1000 jumps a year to be a "skydiver". BUT, not being honest about your currency to jump is dangerous at best, and deadly at the worst.

brent

***

~~~~Green grass and high clouds forever~~~~
no matter where you go, there you are!

[lawrocket 3]

This month will make two years off from jumping. Why? Family, work, money and location. It just is not feasible for me to jump right now.

The sky will be there, and I'll get some fun recurrency jumps, too!

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[masterrig 1]

Pretty much, one of the reasons I gave-up jumping. that and the fact, the only place I can afford to jump is a 'local' one-cessna DZ. Got tired of getting 'bumped' because a tandem customer just walked through the door... then another...
I can't afford to travel to other DZ's. I thought a 'hiatus' would work. That was a little over 2-yrs. ago.


Chuck

[BIGUN 1,488]

I took a nine-year break. Desert Storm, then got accepted to grad school, new job with lotsa traveling, etc. etc.

Walked back in, was accepted with open arms by familiar faces; quick refresher, up twice that day, ordering new gear the next. That was six years ago.

Breaks are good. Shake it out, think about it, see if you "feel" it and then feel welcomed back.

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[tigra 0]

I haven't "taken a break" but my jumping has slowed down considerably over the past few years for a lot of the reasons in your post. DZ politics made it not so fun, buying a house made it not so feasible financially and there are other things to do out there!

Do what you feel is right for you! 50 jumps a year is plenty to stay current, but maybe not enough to advance in the sport.

[cbain 0]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I've decided that a break will be a good thing. I think I'll be taking a break from DZ.com as well.

Thanks everyone,
Christina

[skybytch 273]

I've taken a couple six month-ish breaks over the years. DZ politics and not being able to travel to other dz's were the big reasons. First time I came back because I'd moved closer to the dz; second time I came back after moving close to a large dz and taking a job in the industry. Third long break was due to injury.

Each time I felt like I came home when I got out of the airplane. The breaks were good for me, and my friends understood why I took them.

Don't sell your gear just yet though. That was my big mistake the first time. You may get a wild hair one weekend; it's way easier and cheaper to get recurrent if you don't have to borrow/rent gear.

For me skydiving is more than a past time...when you choose to work in the industry it becomes your life. But I'd still take another break if I felt I needed to - it's actually easier for me to take a break from jumping because I'm surrounded by it even when I'm not actively skydiving.

Have fun with the dirt bikes, and don't be a stranger around here.

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