Jessica Watson.

[_Ray A]

Thanks for that tip-off Malcolm, I'll do some googling shortly. I did read quite an extended coverage about Mike at the Sydney International Boat Show:

Sydney International Boat Show attending guest speakers

It really only struck me when reading that article what an amazing feat it was to cross the Atlantic solo at just 14.

Ah, I just caught it:

Mike Perham.

I'm a real big fan of flying, so I'll be following this one.

[_Ray A]

According to Booktopia, sales of Jessica Watson's book True Spirit, are Going Through The Roof.

Of course, everyone knows that this was all an “elaborate plan”, from the time she collided with a 63,000 ton tanker and ended up with a broken mast, to experiencing a 180 degree knockdown in the Southern Atlantic, when she and Ella's Pink Lady were upside down, but recovered (that is what the Sparkman and Stevens Yacht is designed to do).

Now she may well be on the way to becoming a best-selling author, at the ripe old age of 17.

The You Tube clip made at the end of this book promotion was conditional upon Jessica making it back to Sydney (of course). She made it (the clip) while in the Indian Ocean, where Abby Sunderland came to grief. Jessica experienced some of the worst conditions of her journey in the Southern Oceans of Australia, and said she couldn't believe that she had sailed around the world, to see the biggest swells of all in her own territory, three and four storeys high. I, along with thousands of others, held our breath, as she went silent while negotiating treacherous seas south of Tasmania. She had to go south of Tasmania to negotiate the last cape, so criticism that she didn’t go through Bass Strait was unfounded. We waited for an entry in her blog, anything. It was with great relief that we finally read:

Good news. Ella's Pink Lady and I have made it around the South East Cape of Tasmania and we're now headed north on the final leg to Sydney!

Even then, she was still not home. The waters between Tasmania and Sydney have claimed not a few lives (of sailors much older than her), and she was battling huge seas until virtually a few nautical miles from Sydney.

Hope you can see this: Ella’s Pink Lady 57 Nautical Miles from Sydney (Press "play" a few times).

The Home Coming.

I think only the most hardened cynic would not be moved by this, and yes, many of them do exist lurking behind computer screens with all of the comforts of life available to them within 12 square feet, not 23,000 nautical miles of open and unforgiving oceans.

I have to shamelessly admit, to borrow a phrase from D. Michael Quinn, and perhaps an indicting one, that my admiration for Jessica Watson, “borders on idolatry”. She is absolutely the best thing that has ever happened in 2010, with her words, “I wanted to inspire people.”

Mission accomplished, Jess.

[_Malcolm]

Hi Ray,

Thanks for the latest information re Jessica and her book True Spirit.
I will put it on my Amazon list.
Yes, so what is wrong with a bit of healthy idol worship? If true hero's like Jessica who can set out on perilous journey's and take all that Mother Nature can throw at them, and then some, then even guys like me, old enough to be her grandfather can admire their guts, courage, call it what you will.

There are lots of great young people out there, but just a few with the drive and vision of Jess, Mike and Abby. Then even fewer who go on to turn that vision into reality. It's fun, but exhausting trying to keep up with them.

[_Malcolm]

This morning's TV3 News Mailout from New Zealand, tells of 14 year old Laura Dekker, the New Zealand born, Dutch girl who has set off from the Netherlands en-route to Portugal, to begin her solo attempt.

Having had pressure from child protection authorities, Laura won the right to be allowed to sail her yacht, Guppy on a round world trip.

I just hope that all goes well for her. Climbing the mast when under pressure from battering gales, took a lot out of Mike Perham and Jessica too. I just wonder if a slightly built, 14 year old girl, will be able to maintain the same levels of physical strength to cope with all that yachtsmen and women have thrown at them?
May the God's of the Seas go with her.
edited to add http://www.lauradekker.nl/English/Home.html

[_Ray A]

Hi Malcolm,

I've been keeping close tabs on Laura. She has wisely decided to do her round the world Journey with stops. If she succeeds, she will be able to claim the title of "youngest solo circumnavigator", but with stops. In that regard, Jess' record will still stand, as being the youngest to circumnavigate "solo, non-stop, and unassisted". In any case, I'll be following Laura all through her journey.

I'm frankly amazed at the courage of some of our young people, and how they dare to dream so contrary to the masses. in my opinion, they are pioneers, maybe not so much in discovering new trails, but in reminding us that heroism is not dead. They are our hope for the future, with their dreams and aspirations, no matter how life-risking their endeavours are. They, in my opinion, exhibit the spirit of adventure that so inspired early oceanic explorers. Risking life and limb, they seem be reviving in us the feeling that there are more important things in life than TV dinners, and the ease and comforts of "modern society".

We should be proud that in an age of cynicism and doubt, we still have young people who dare to dream, and will pursue those dreams against all criticism.

I think Laura knows what she's doing, and her limitations, thus deciding to make her journey with stops.

[_Ray A]

Jessica Watson, True Spirit: The Aussie Girl Who Took on the World:

Excerpt:

'When I was young I was pretty much afraid of everything...

'I’m not sure when that changed, but Mum tells a story about a day at a family gathering when I was playing with my cousins and my elder sister. They were all holding hands and jumping into a swimming pool, and Mum was watching me closely because I was afraid of water and couldn’t swim. I was five years old.

‘I obviously got sick of only watching the game, because as everyone lined up to hold hands for another leap I joined in. Mum says she kept waiting for me to let go but I didn’t. I jumped with everyone else, shrieking and giggling until we hit the water. I sank to the bottom and my uncle rushed to pull me out.

‘I wish I could say when it was that I went from being that quiet little girl, tagging along behind the others, to the girl who set off to sail around the world believing completely that with enough dedication she could achieve anything she set her mind to. Somewhere along the way I learnt that if you truly want to live life you have to get involved, pursue your passions and dream big.

[_Malcolm]

Keep on dreaming big, Jessica.

[_Ray A]

Jessica's book, True Spirit, is now the No.1 bestselling book in Australia. (I'm seriously wondering now how many 17 year olds have achieved something like this?) I think a US tour is on the agenda too.

The Rise and Rise of Jessica Watson.

[_Malcolm]

Hi Ray,
Great news about Jessica's book.
My late wife often used the saying, "That girl will go places". when making reference to a young woman who was making an impression on the world.
Jessica has already been places. The rest of the world is her Oyster.

BBC News tell us that young Laura Dekker, 14, who won a legal battle to sail earlier this year, set sail at around 0900 GMT aboard her 29ft boat Guppy, Dutch media reports.
her manager said she left in a very good mood despite calm conditions, but did not want to speak to the media.
Early reports suggested that Ms Dekker sailed from Portugal, but later reports suggested she may have been elsewhere".

I will keep an 'eye' on her progress. May the God's of the Sea fill her sails and keep her safe.

[_Ray A]

A Jessica Watson update:

True Spirit promotional video. (Rare footage)

Sunday Mail columnist Rebecca Sparrow on Critical Thinking.

My experience with Jessica reminded me of the importance of critical thinking. Whether it’s a sound bite about a teenage sailor or election campaign ads or moronic email petitions about refugees or free laptops – we’ve become lazy news consumers, willing to believe whatever angle we’re fed…..As for Jessica Watson, well in person she’s a breath of fresh air. Jess speaks with great candour about her experiences in a refreshingly unpolished, humble manner. Is she tiny? Well, yes. But she’s also wise beyond her years. Much wiser than me. Sorry Jess

Jessica in America:

Fox News

The CBS Early Show

In France:

Cannes

At home:

Voted Australia’s Favorite Event Award

The annual Bluesfest, a long-time pioneer of blues music held at Tyagarah, north of Byron Bay on the NSW north coast, and Watson's arrival trumped hundreds of entries vying for the prestigious titles at the Australian Event Awards announced in Sydney on Thursday.
The category winners are decided by a panel of industry judges but Australia's Favourite Event goes to a public vote, which this year went to Watson's hero's welcome.
Thousands of fans greeted the Queenslander, who became the youngest person to sail solo and unassisted around the world in May, as she docked at the Sydney Opera House after 210 days at sea.
More than 64,000 votes were cast, with the majority naming the teenager's arrival as the winner.

Latest Blog

So while all this has been going on back in Australia and since my last update, I’ve been back to Paris (see pic below) promoting the book launch there, down in the south of France for Mipcom in Cannes, then on to Brazil, where I am now sitting in my room with a view looking out to Christ the Redeemer in Rio De Janeiro!

I almost feel bad for having so much fun. It’s true what everyone says about travel giving you a whole new perspective. One of the best parts definitely being some of the cool people I’ve had the chance to meet along the way.