Youngest sailor across the pond; Where will it end?

Becky

Becky

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 Nov 2003
Messages
2,130
Location
Hampshire
Visit site
My oldest grandson is 22 months. He is very capable in his bath with his fluffy ducks and little boats.

I suppose I should be planning his record attempt soon. Better start looking for a suitable boat. I will give him 10 years, while I plan my other grandson's crossing, he is just 4 weeks. So he should be ready in 9 years.

But I could be too late!!

Seriously, while applauding the degree of responsibility and dedication to sail so far, it does worry me somewhat that the next attempt will be by somebody of 13, then 12 then what?

Just how young will one have be to get the record in the future?

The choice of yacht I thought was very unusual, until I realised that the company belongs to Dad. One could discuss the ethics of using your children to help promote your product like this!

But it is only a trailer-sailer, so maybe those Macgreggor 26's are the latest thing to cross oceans /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
"Just how young will one have be to get the record in the future?"

My mate's wife was pregnant when they crossed the Atlantic, so I reckon their daughter, Zoë, beats everyone...

Or maybe not?
 
Wasnt it over the xmas holidays? I'm not sure when he set off but the school holidays probably started about the 21st Dec, and they do actually give time off as long as it is not during critical exam times or study periods and it is for a very good reason, which may be extra-curricular...

I should imagine he had some time to do his homework on the boat /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Chris
 
ah .. ok .. I thought I heard BBC say .. 7 weeks solo crossing .. very understanding head teacher... !
 
Just checked, you're quite right, it was 6 weeks, I can only assume that it was considered by the board of governors who would have made the ultimate decision to be extensively beneficial to his future career /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Chris
 
[ QUOTE ]
the School Board Man catch up with him for twagging off

[/ QUOTE ]
Is it frowned on then? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
Totally agree, we are taking our little monster off shore for a few years. Education should/will be better for him. Wife is doctor & me a mere engineer.!!
 
"It was with the full support of his headteacher, who reckoned that crossing the Atlantic alone would be a richer educational experience than spending the time in school".

I would agree with this wholeheartedly! I hated skool, and would have loved to have done something like this instead.

Digressing slightly, I have met lots of families with kids on boats - sometimes these kids have never been in a proper skool as such, or perhaps just for a term or two while their nomadic gypsy parents stopped somewhere for a bit to earn a few pennies before setting off again.

And invariably all of these kids were far ahead of their contemporaries when they eventually sailed back 'home' and settled down to 'normal' life again.

Along the way they had learnt the principles of good seamanship, how to get on well with their parents in a very cramped environment, and they had to (by necessity) learn how to cope with and do things on their own.

They had received an education in the grammar school of the world, which (IMHO) is infinitely more rewarding than attending an immobile stationary brick institution ashore having generally useless (OK, I know that the basics are useful, dont shoot me just yet) information rammed down their throats - to the extent that they become total rebels and take up smoking, coke, bullying.....

And probably most of the above (apart from having his family on the boat with him!) could be relevant / applicable to our young Tide 28 Sailor Mike......

Imagine the stories he can tell his skool mates when he returns!
 
Brave or Stupid?

I say again.....

Congratulations to Michael perhaps - but to his Father too?

What responsible father would allow his 14 year old son to sail single handed across the Atlantic, let alone in the marine equivalent of an Airfix Toy? ....and what Headmaster.

This year's weather/wind was among the strongest on record - I would not have relished either of them having to sail up wind e.g. to effect a rescue. True, father dutifully sailed in company and wa on hand in case of disaster but if disaster struck he too was in an Airfix Toy.

Personnally, (and what opinion is not personal?), I think it borders on irresponsible.
 
Re: Brave or Stupid?

Q question and I am not a sailor and this is not a troll but ellen (Or Dame) circumnavigated the UK at 18 single handed and this chap crossed the atlantic at 14 with the help or shadow of his father what is the greater achievement ?
 
I am with you on this one Duncan.

Well done nipper.

Dad, business ethics?

School, are the Governors into football? If a lad says that he wants to play footie, as it may benefit his career, would they let him go for weeks during school term? I think not.

Doesn't take away from the fact that the lad did bl00dy well.

Keep your feet on the ground, and don't let the press build you up into something to soon, they love to knock you down when you muck up doing something during puberty!!!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Not knocking the lad.............. he did great! It's the bl00dy 'hangerons' that pee me off.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top