Southern California-based 16 year old, Abby Sunderland set off on January 23rd to become the youngest person to ever sail around the world solo. While most of her friends are looking forward to getting their drivers license, she’s put that off to accomplish what some consider impossible, and others consider too reckless and dangerous for a girl her age.
Her response to the critics?
“I understand very well how dangerous the ocean is, and especially where I am, and I sail carefully and never forget how fast things can turn bad out here,” she responded, from a position west of southern Argentina and 700 miles from Cape Horn. “But fear would just get in the way. When things are going on, you don’t have time to be scared about it; you have to just get your head around everything and deal with it.”
When was the last time you opted out of a task because the risk seemed too high? Notice from Abby’s example: taking risks does not mean being reckless. Plan. Know the costs. The dangers. The obstacles. And even the criticisms. But don’t let any of that get in the way of what you set out to do.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
This reminds me of that 14 year old Laura Dekker girl who was stopped from trying to break that Youngest-to-Sail-Around-The-World record by the Dutch courts, who ruled it was too dangerous and she was too young.
I do think it’s irresponsible of her parents to let her go. Then again, what age is too young? Where do you draw the line?
Sixteen….. Well, I was an idiot at sixteen. I still had a lot of growing up to do, but I thought I was ’so mature’. If it were my kid, I wouldn’t be letting her do it. No way.
And for what it’s worth, although she clearly knows the risks, I still think she’s being reckless. Not brave; just young and headstrong.
Good points, Magpie.
One thing to note, her older brother (17 at the time) held the same record for a short time. Clearly, her family has been around boating. Her parents are as aware of the risks as much (or more) than she is. I think this would be a huge point in taking risks successfully:
Are you surrounding yourself with a community who believes in you?
i guess she is trying to beat Jessica Watson, a 16 yr old from Australia. http://jessicawatson.com.au/index.htm
she is close to finishing her trip around the world, hoping to be the youngest.
yeah, if she completes the task within 5 months of Jessica completing it, Abby will take the title.
As Abby’s brother found out, titles as such don’t last for long. I’m pretty sure it’s more a personal goal than a direct attempt to “beat” Ms Watson.
But seriously…props to both of them. I just thought it was cool I knew how to scuba dive at 16.
I masquerade as a risk taker, but I’m actually quite conservative in most of my actions and choices.
In fact, I’m hard pressed to think of many instances when I haven’t acted with some kind of risk-management perspective.
Yikes.