{"id":27,"date":"2009-02-20T11:55:00","date_gmt":"2009-02-20T16:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/2009\/02\/20\/february-25-march-4-2009-teenage-solo-sailors-on-record-seeking-circumnavigation-trips-meet-each-other-in-cape-town-south-africa\/"},"modified":"2009-08-24T11:06:33","modified_gmt":"2009-08-24T16:06:33","slug":"february-25-march-4-2009-teenage-solo-sailors-on-record-seeking-circumnavigation-trips-meet-each-other-in-cape-town-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/february-25-march-4-2009-teenage-solo-sailors-on-record-seeking-circumnavigation-trips-meet-each-other-in-cape-town-south-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"February 25-March 4, 2009 – Teenage solo sailors on record-seeking circumnavigation trips meet each other in Cape Town, South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"

Contributed by Pastor Julie A. Kanarr<\/em><\/strong>
\nHoly Trinity Lutheran Church
\nPort Angeles, WA<\/p>\n

Warm-up Question:<\/span><\/strong> What is the hardest thing you have ever done?<\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n

American sailor Zac Sunderland<\/a>, who turned 17 in November, and British sailor Mike Perham<\/a>, who will turn 17 in March, are both in the middle of sailing alone around the world, in attempts to become the youngest person to do so. By coincidence, they recently met up with each other in Cape Town, South Africa. They toured one another\u2019s boats, shared a meal, and spoke with admiration and respect for the each other\u2019s journey and accomplishments.<\/span><\/p>\n

Zac is sailing a 33 foot cruising sailboat named Intrepid that he purchased with his own savings. After months of preparing the boat with the help of his shipwright father and the financial support of several sponsors, he set off from Marina Del Ray in southern California on June 14, 2008. Zac\u2019s boat is equipped with a satellite phone, radios, and a laptop computer, enabling him to stay in touch with his family and friends during his journey. In addition, there are hundreds of people who are following his journey through his blog at www.zacsunderland.com<\/em><\/a> .<\/span><\/p>\n

Zac sailed west across the Pacific and Indian Oceans, with stops in Hawaii, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and in ports along the coast of South Africa as he rounded the Cape of Good Hope en route to Cape Town. Along the way he battled storms, mechanical problems, and skirted areas known to be frequented by pirates. His route will now take him across the Atlantic Ocean, through the Panama Canal, and up the coast of Mexico back to his home port in California.<\/span><\/p>\n

Upon finishing his trip, Zac will become the youngest person to sail alone around the world, a record that will stand until Mike Perham, who is a few months younger than Zac, finishes his trip.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mike Perham departed from Portsmouth, England, November 15, 2008. He is sailing a chartered 50 foot racing sailboat named totallymoney.com<\/em> in honor of one of his primary sponsors. Like Zac, Mike\u2019s boat is equipped with an assortment of electronic gear that enables him to stay in touch through the Internet and satellite phone during his journey. Mike, who already holds the record for the youngest person to sail alone across the Atlantic Ocean (at age 14) had originally hoped to become the youngest person to sail non-stop, unassisted around the world, but a mechanical issues required him to stop for repairs in Portugal and in the Canary Islands along the way, so now he is hoping to become the youngest person to complete a solo circumnavigation. He sailed the Atlantic Ocean down to the southern tip of Africa, where he landed in Cape Town for additional repair work. <\/span><\/p>\n

After departing Cape Town, Mike will continue sailing east, rounding the southern tip of Africa, Australia, and South America on his way back to his starting point in England. You can follow his journey through his blog at www.totallymoney.com\/sailmike<\/em><\/a> .<\/span><\/p>\n

Both Mike and Zac have been tested by the challenges that are part of long-distance solo ocean sailing. Sleep often consists of taking short naps between periods of needing to tend sails, respond to changes in the wind, and keep watch for large ships, and other potentially dangerous situations. Each has navigated his boat through difficult conditions, and faced mechanical issues. These challenges have honed their skills and given them greater confidence as they move toward achieving their goals. Both have also received encouragement and support from their parents, friends, and well-wishers along the way.<\/span><\/p>\n

Discussion Questions<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n