Laura Dekker's Circumnavigation

[deckofficer]

Originally Posted by Astrid

I was 16 once, believe it or not, and I would have loved to have done all that Laura has in her circumnavigation and now her further adventures. I vaguely recall some fantasies along those lines, but--sigh--my father probably was correct in keeping a somewhat tight rein on his youngest daughter. For me it makes it all the more fun to watch Laura's progress.

I don't know Astrid, but it is hard for me to visualize you as anything but a serious, studious person at 16. Am I wrong? I think you could have pulled off what Laura did at 16, easy.

[reed1v]

Originally Posted by Astrid

I was 16 once, believe it or not, and I would have loved to have done all that Laura has in her circumnavigation and now her further adventures. I vaguely recall some fantasies along those lines, but--sigh--my father probably was correct in keeping a somewhat tight rein on his youngest daughter. For me it makes it all the more fun to watch Laura's progress.

your father was correct. a lot of kids die on the water. back in early 60s, big problem in southern france was young girls being kidnapped and sold in some of the north african nations. things can go really really bad. we usually hear only about those adventures that turned out alright. a young woman sailing into the wrong port or intercepted by the wrong ship does make a father stay up at night worrying.btdt.

[goboatingnow]

My comment is not a cheap shot. I made it because of the discussions on Laura's various " boy friends" , discussions on her physique etc . Why are we commenting on her personal life. We don't do it for other sailors. I find some of the posts equivalent to reality TV.

By all means relay the sailing parts.

Dave

[downunder]

Originally Posted by deckofficer

Talk about minds being in the gutter. She is a very accomplished sailor, with a skill set far exceeding that of Jessica or Abby. If I choose to try and keep her in the limelight prior to her book coming out, it is because I wish her some financial success to go along with her determination in fighting her government for over a year.

Dave and Mark, I have till now, always respected your posts, but this is a cheap shot. I will however keep this thread alive for some time after she publishes her book. She and I have corresponded, and I can assure you, she is a sailor's sailor, and loves the cruising lifestyle.

Yes, I am a very big fan (which is short for fanatic) of Laura, as she did what I only dreamed of doing at her age after reading "Dove" by Robin Graham, and he didn't have to deal with all the roadblocks of his government being against him. The best I could do was many years later, graduating 3rd in my class from the California Maritime Academy to be able to turn a passion into a job. Only regrets is I didn't solo circumnavigate as a teenager.

As for me, put yourself in my shoes for a minute. I have gone from a very active life that included 100,000's nm in a short time frame, to, for the last 3 years being almost a shut-in, caring for my 93 year old dad. The adventures of Laura is a pleasant reminder of what I have put on hold for awhile.

And Piglet, well I've never seen any of your posts, so just don't know you.

DeckOfficer,

Whilst I don't disagree with your opinions of Laura's sailing accomplishments and skill sets please do not cast dispersions on those of Jessica Watson who had plenty of detractors also prior to her sail.

A standout moment for me was when at her welcome back to Sydney was her very public disagreement with the Prime Minister on national television. She for one so young is also very much her own person.

I my opion they are very similar but not the same. I respect them both equally.

Cheers

[deckofficer]

Originally Posted by downunder

DeckOfficer,

Whilst I don't disagree with your opinions of Laura's sailing accomplishments and skill sets please do not cast dispersions on those of Jessica Watson who had plenty of detractors also prior to her sail.

A standout moment for me was when at her welcome back to Sydney was her very public disagreement with the Prime Minister on national television. She for one so young is also very much her own person.

I my opion they are very similar but not the same. I respect them both equally.

Cheers

I'm sorry, your correct, Jessica has done a grand job sailing the world and upon return received high accolades, combined with astute PR, is now on "Dancing With the Stars". The fact that it was non-stop is a feat I would never do, and for me, that is the minor rub. Sailing solo around the world is an adventure that needs punctuation with landfalls, interacting with the locals, and conducting commerce in foreign lands. Laura went this route, Jessica chose the endurance and record setting route. I'm a cruiser, prefer the way Laura did it.

[Sailor g]

Originally Posted by Piglet

I did not intend to offend anyone. I happen to think that photos of a 16 year old in what basically amounts to a wet t-shirt, paired with comments of "if only I was only 40 years younger" a little creepy. Maybe it's my prudish upbringing, or the fact that I have daughters just a little younger Laura. Anywho, not judging anyone here, just throwing out what I was thinking.

Uh, I just noticed the muscle tone. Not picking on Piglet-just my response to the negative comments. I have read this whole thread and never noticed anything but respect and admiration. I started sailing later in life and would live to circumnavigate at all. So, I enjoy following this thread- it's a summation. I would never read her own blog (work too long to follow blogs). Gloria

[Astrid]

Originally Posted by deckofficer

I don't know Astrid, but it is hard for me to visualize you as anything but a serious, studious person at 16. Am I wrong? I think you could have pulled off what Laura did at 16, easy.

Well, I wasn't always studious and I think Laura showed a bit more maturity than I had at that age. I think my father was probably correct in getting me into Sea Cadets to learn a bit of discipline while at the same time catering to my love of the sea, rather than seeing me risk life and limb out on my own without the necessary level of maturity needed to make an epic trip like Laura's.

[deckofficer]

Originally Posted by Sailor g

Uh, I just noticed the muscle tone. Not picking on Piglet-just my response to the negative comments. I have read this whole thread and never noticed anything but respect and admiration. I started sailing later in life and would live to circumnavigate at all. So, I enjoy following this thread- it's a summation. I would never read her own blog (work too long to follow blogs). Gloria

Thanks, unlike you I have some spare time and read her blogs, check with my fellow cruisers who have crossed paths with her, and the occasional email from her, and happy to share a "Reader's Digest" version of her exploits here, and for you to say you enjoy following this thread makes up for the paranoid remarks of a few.

[avb3]

Originally Posted by deckofficer

Thanks, unlike you I have some spare time and read her blogs, check with my fellow cruisers who have crossed paths with her, and the occasional email from her, and happy to share a "Reader's Digest" version of her exploits here, and for you to say you enjoy following this thread makes up for the paranoid remarks of a few.

Please keep at it, because I too am one who enjoys the updates.

For those that are disturbed, perhaps it is more a reflection of your own perspectives, and not those of others... just sayin'.

[Hammond]

Originally Posted by avb3

Please keep at it, because I too am one who enjoys the updates.

ZEILMEISJE LAURA DEKKER on FACEBOOK

Here you can find all information and updates about Laura (and much, much more!)

[SailingwithSoul]

Originally Posted by avb3

For those that are disturbed, perhaps it is more a reflection of your own perspectives, and not those of others... just sayin'.

I never liked this type of argument as I feel it's self serving and insensitive. Different people have different perspectives and levels of comfort, and it's unfair to tell them "it's obviously just your problem."

To their defense, I'll say that I jumped through a few pages on this thread, and to be honest, The thread started off innocent enough, but along the way it seemed to morph into a strange form of idolization.

It's an age issue. I just think this particular sailor is too young to have her pictures and every step posted by third parties, when she herself does not have a voice on this thread. Maybe if this sailor was older and/or was posting the material herself, I would feel differently.

Happy Sailing!!!

[reed1v]

Most kids her age are already working and raising families. Western cultures delay adulthood till middle age

[SailingwithSoul]

Originally Posted by reed1v

Most kids her age are already working and raising families. Western cultures delay adulthood till middle age

She's 16. Where are they having/raising families at that age?

[Mexdon]

Originally Posted by SailingwithSoul

She's 16. Where are they having/raising families at that age?

Mexico and almost every other Latin America country for starters.

[deckofficer]

I'm sure she would rather be sailing than dealing with bilge crawlers. But when the time comes, it wouldn't surprise me if she does the same has her folks and raise her off spring on a boat. She is certainly having a wonderful life, being raised as a boat kid.