Zac Sunderland-17yr old sails around the world

[jecapaga]

I've been following this story quite a bit and I think it's pretty amazing for anyone to do, let alone a 17 year old, alone and going around the world. He's due to finalize his trip here locally on Thursday. I was trying to get a girlfriend and go to a concert at 17.

Here are a couple stories..interesting to read that his family has now gone deeply into debt to finish his trip.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/out...-to-marina-del-rey-delayed-until-july-16.html

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/out...-along-as-parents-sink-further-into-debt.html

And here's his blog:

http://www.zacsunderland.com/blog/

 

[wywern209]

Oh yeah! i heard about this. So, he's finally coming back huh? Must've been fun. out on the sea and all.

 

[jecapaga]

He departed a year ago today. Imagine being out on the ocean for a year. Not a big boat either.

 

[wywern209]

i doubt i could do that as im not brave enough to go alone on a boat and be stuck on it for like 1 yr. i would go on a journey like this w/ friends tho. it would be fun.

 

[jecapaga]

Just going through his blog entries for the last year randomly is interesting. Seeing the pics and hearing about his ordeals while traveling and the things he had to face.

 

[Brien]

Wow, that's pretty wicked.

 

[pb1300]

Very cool, and something I would love to do with a group of my closest friends.

 

[wywern209]

Very cool, and something I would love to do with a group of my closest friends.

definitely. this would be fun.

 

[dukebound85]

Very cool, and something I would love to do with a group of my closest friends.

id rather have the 140k

 

[wywern209]

id rather have the 140k

what 140k? did he get paid for this?

 

[rhsgolfer33]

what 140k? did he get paid for this?

No, that is about how much its cost for him to make the journey.

 

[sushi]

What a neat journey.

Thanks for posting the story/links.

 

[arkitect]

Wow. Well done Zac…

Makes me shudder to think of my misspent year as a 17 year old.

I was wondering about this:

One of his goals of stopping in San Diego besides clearing Customs and not getting stuck in quarantine for 6 months, was to get his engine repaired so he has maneuverability in the harbor upon his return.

Why would he have to go through 6 months of quarantine?

 

[ucfgrad93]

Awesome job!

 

[kate-willbury]

i don't see the point of this. i'd definitely rather have 140k.

 

[Melrose]

Cool! Kind of like a modern-day Josh Slocum. I bet he's pooped..

 

[sushi]

Why would he have to go through 6 months of quarantine?

That caught my eye as well.

Don't know what to make of it I could understand tests for swine flu and other diseases but 6 months?

Maybe someone else on here knows why?

 

[dmr727]

Pretty awesome! I was a waste of space at 17.

 

[war eagle]

Did he finish school early or something? I didn't read the article btw.

 

[jecapaga]

Did he finish school early or something? I didn't read the article btw.

He has been home schooled and is close to finishing from what I've read. After floating around the world for a year I think it would be hard to acclimate myself back into 'normal' life.

"There will be hundreds on hand to cheer and greet a teenager who courageously began this daunting task when he was 16 and celebrated Thanksgiving and, two days later, his 17th birthday while beating into a headwind off Madagascar in the Indian Ocean.

He enjoyed Costco spuds for Thanksgiving and a microwaveable cake for his birthday. And now, almost eight months later, he's about to enjoy a real party: a homecoming with friends and family who are sure to notice subtle changes in his personality and character.

"He left thinking he knew a lot about life. The difference now is, he does," said Laurence Sunderland, Zac's dad.

That may be, but as the mariner sees the U.S. mainland looming larger as he crosses the San Pedro Channel he's sure to experience strange feelings and maybe trepidation about reentering a world in which so many people reside and live such routine lives."