Good for Abby

I’ve seen a lot of concern about the teen who attempted to sail around the world solo. Lex thinks all of the concern is over the top. I recall doing a whole bunch of things as a teen that should have gotten me killed.


Come to think of it Abby Sunderland’s attempt was a whole lot more organized than most of the spur of the moment stupid things we did as teens like jumping off of a 30 foot cliff into a small pool of black water below; or riding a bicycle – no hands – down the Jefferson hill on a bicycle with nothing but a pair of shorts on; or shooting each other with roman candles in some kind of odd 4th of July duel; or tossing a box of .22 sells into roaring fire on a camp out and laughing behind a log while we decided who would be the first to check if the coast was clear; or walking the slate school roof with a 10 pitch to paint our graduating year on it. There are many more that could have easily landed us in the Darwin Award top 10, but most of those involve alcohol. Since I assume Abby was sober, the similarity is not the same.

So, good for Abby! Had it not been for bad weather and 30 foot waves, she could have made it. Her parents, on the other hand, ought to be jailed. Had mom and dad gotten even a whiff of some of the tom foolery going on at the creek behind the house, somebody would have been grounded for months and the creek placed off limits.

Had Abby set up some elaborate rouse that she was spending a couple of weeks with her best friend at their lake cottage, stole the family boat and headed out to sail around the world, the story would have been much better. That has kind of a Disney ring to it.

But what kind of parents allow and encourage their teen aged kids to sail around the world solo? Let’s see, bad weather, pirates, miscalculation on the part of the crew, equipment failure are just a few of the unforeseeable things that could put the CHILD at great risk for life and limb.

How does that conversation even go?

AS: Mom, dad, I want to sail around the world by myself.

Parents: OK. Sure honey be home before, what, July? OK, OK August, but not a day later. Call if you need a ride.

I’m happy that Abby got on that boat, what courage and daring. I hope she got on it because she wanted to and not because mom and dad are living out their foolish dreams through their children. What’s next, jumping the Grand Canyon on a mini bike? Or, “OK Abby that sailing thing didn’t work out. Let’s try the highest sky dive with lowest opening next. The press will love it.” Her parents need a psych eval.