Let's not forget racing as well...
Counting slowly in your head as you dredge towards the boat, fighting the turbulence from the guy upwind, then pulling the trigger and pumping, wondering if you've peaked too early. Watching other guys ahead doing the same, now you wonder if you've left your run too late. Screaming towards the start line, praying for the green flag to go up, watching the start guys meddling with the flags and then...
BANG you're past the start line, couple of guys around you, another has catapulted in front so you quickly avoid him, keep pinching upwind then close the slot and scream down to the mark on a broad reach, is there anyone in the water near the mark? Adjust angle to suit, try to find some swell to gybe around while not overshooting the mark too much, quick glance downwind and behind to see who's going to clean you up when you tip yourself into the turn, hold your breath as you fly downwind and cross your fingers as you grab the new side of the boom, Phew still upright on this one, catch a swell to get planing again, quick check to see who's about to overtake and plan your route through the fleet to get back to the first mark...
All three disciplines are fun, and all seem to prepare you in strange ways for when you do have the chance to try something else.
Me, I just love sailing