French boy, 12, makes record English Channel crossing

Mark-1

Mark-1

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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-44642277

I was pretty enthusiastic until I got to this:
"He suffered from seasickness during the attempt and wanted to give up after five hours but his father persuaded him to keep going"

Not sure how I feel about that. On the one hand kids on cruisers get sick all the time and nobody ever offers them the chance to stop and carrying on when something is difficult is a useful lesson. On the other hand making him carry on when he wanted to stop is a bit like the competitive dads you see shouting at their kids in park runs.

Also, isn't 12 bit old for an Optimist? I'd have thought a 12yo in a Topper would thrash his record.

Broadly positive though, IMV. I bet he'll look back on it with enthusiasm even if there were moments where he wasn't having a great time.
 
Mark-1 said:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-44642277

I was pretty enthusiastic until I got to this:
"He suffered from seasickness during the attempt and wanted to give up after five hours but his father persuaded him to keep going"

Not sure how I feel about that. On the one hand kids on cruisers get sick all the time and nobody ever offers them the chance to stop and carrying on when something is difficult is a useful lesson. On the other hand making him carry on when he wanted to stop is a bit like the competitive dads you see shouting at their kids in park runs.

Also, isn't 12 bit old for an Optimist? I'd have thought a 12yo in a Topper would thrash his record.

Broadly positive though, IMV. I bet he'll look back on it with enthusiasm even if there were moments where he wasn't having a great time.
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Usually moved onto a Cadet by that age.
However, great achievement.
 
The Préfet Maritime pointed out that it was illegal to be more than 300m offshore in such a dinghy although they may grant exceptions. No application was made in this case.

They said that they would not pursue the matter but did not want to create a precedent.
 
Fr J Hackett said:
14Hrs is quite a long time for a 12 year old to be continuously active and concentrating. I say well done to the lad.
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I agree.
Not so sure about the parents though.
'Optimist Parents' are notorious for pushing their kids hard to win or succeed or whatever.
 
Sybarite said:
The Préfet Maritime pointed out that it was illegal to be more than 300m offshore in such a dinghy although they may grant exceptions. No application was made in this case.

They said that they would not pursue the matter but did not want to create a precedent.
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Luckily the UK is less of a police state, we have lots of youngsters racing on the coast, 300m from the shore would be a ridiculous and often dangerous restriction.
 
Sybarite said:
The Préfet Maritime pointed out that it was illegal to be more than 300m offshore in such a dinghy although they may grant exceptions. No application was made in this case.

They said that they would not pursue the matter but did not want to create a precedent.
Click to expand...

The Préfet Maritime should look up the age of criminal responsibility in France, which is 13.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense_of_infancy
 
Mark-1 said:
The Préfet Maritime should look up the age of criminal responsibility in France, which is 13.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense_of_infancy
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Which makes Dad responsible, therefore guilty.

Like many, I have mixed feelings. Pushy Dad = poor kid, who'll probably never voluntarily set foot in a dinghy again. Kid who really wants to go for it plus Dad who's making it possible, including giving encouragement when fiston flags a bit = Good for both of 'em
 
The girl who did it previously is the daughter of our local vet and there is a bit of pushy dad involved. A slightly older son is an Int Cat champion, not sure what class. By all accts she enjoyed the trip. Lotta bailing...
There might be a legal loophole about the 300mtr bit, as it could be classed as the tender to the mother yacht, so 'legal' if not further away during the crossing.


PS; At that age, I set off across Falmouth Bay in my little 6ft pram. Certainly not pushed by my father, but he had no objection. In todays nanny state, he would be arrested for child neglect.
 
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DownWest said:
The girl who did it previously is the daughter of our local vet and there is a bit of pushy dad involved. A slightly older son is an Int Cat champion, not sure what class. By all accts she enjoyed the trip. Lotta bailing...
There might be a legal loophole about the 300mtr bit, as it could be classed as the tender to the mother yacht, so 'legal' if not further away during the crossing.


PS; At that age, I set off across Falmouth Bay in my little 6ft pram. Certainly not pushed by my father, but he had no objection. In todays nanny state, he would be arrested for child neglect.
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Perhaps he had checked the tides first.
 
alant said:
Perhaps he had checked the tides first.
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Actually, no. He expected me to do that.. (I am assuming you are refering to my exploits?) I had been allowed out in the 12 ft dinghy since I was six. The little pram was my own creation.
To add: The vets daughter's effort was very well organised and trouble free.

Just wonder if there might be some reaction after this one. Bit like 'smallest boat to transat' leading to the 42 inch one, basicly a drifting barrel. Loony.
My 'C' rated double ender is limited to 6 miles from a safe haven. Which I could breach crossing a wide esturary. Worried? not much.
 
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