The Recent Solo Circumnavigators Zac Sunderland, Michael Perham and Minoru Saito

The new record holders in sailing around the world are 17 year old Zac Sunderland from Marina Del Rey, California and tad younger 17 yr old Michael Perham from UK. Zac's solo unassisted with stops circumnavigation record was 13 months. Zac held his record for few months before Michael Perham aboard Totally Money succeeded to break both Zac's time and age record. At the moment an Australian girl is attempting to break these records. Jessica Watson, a 16 year old is halfway around the world to break the solo unassisted without stops circumnavigation record in sailing. A fellow Australian woman's time and age record will most likely be defeated with a significant difference. Jessica, may the winds be favorable for your solo circumnavigation record attempt! What comes to senior sailors or sailor-wanna-bees, it is never too late to turn over a new leaf on life. Minoru Saito aged 75 has recently finished his 8th solo circumnavigation. Hurray and another glass of rum please!

The local sailing associations are a great way to acquire access to affordable sailing. The misconception is often that sailing or cruising is only for the few and wealthy. There are sailors out there with all kinds of budgets some with modest means and smaller, yet safe vessels. Sailing is all about mentality, opportunity and desire. The opportunities are out there for limited funds traveller wanting to do an Atlantic crossing as a crew or just simply taking a year off to be a sailing bum with a laptop, backbag and a camera. The hardest part is to leave the rat race and familiar life behind and try something new, yet unfamiliar for a while. You will have some friends questioning your sanity or goals - and other's saying 'go, explore and venture'. Sailing is a lifestyle choice. Life is supposed to be lived not saved for the rainy day or for one fine day ... sometimes life and opportunities we decided to ignore might not resurface again. Positive, exiting experiences and hardships are what shape us; what we choose to do, what we are in life or what we give back in return to people around us. Leap of faith to the unknown, yet manageable venture is what sailors fall in love with ... do your homework before you leave, plan your route, have emergency equipment aboard, adequate food and maintenance supplies. Safe journey is guaranteed if you check the weather reports including seasonal patterns and condition your boar regularly. Keep in mind that sometimes a trip across the downtown or crossing the street may be more dangerous than a well deserved sailing cruise.