At Least I Can Watch R Rated Movies!!!
UPDATE: (06.26.10) Abby is now back on land and has been safely reunited with her family.
Attempting to be the youngest solo sailor to circumnavigate the globe, 16 year old Abby Sunderland was feared lost at sea yesterday. After two of her emergency beacons were activated and the loss of satellite phone communication, a search was set out for her in the vast Indian Ocean. Her parents remained calm through this news, and believed she was okay. The reason for this is a third emergency beacon that is equipped to the boat, which automatically activates after 15 ft. of submersion. After a long twenty hours of nothing an Australian airplane was able to make radio contact with her. The vessel was beaten and battered by 30 ft. waves which broke the mast, and damaged her satellite communications. A French fishing boat is somewhere in the neighborhood of 400 miles away, and is now in route to rescue her. There is also a U.S. Navy ship a couple days out offering assistance.
We're really happy to hear that only the boat took damage, and Abby is safe and in good health. After reading a few articles and watching some interviews on this, it really started to not sit well with me. Don't get me wrong, I think what she is doing is awesome. I'm loving that there has been a surge lately in the youth and the outdoors. I can't help but to wonder every time I see a new kid achieve one of these feats, who's dream is it really? It's been what a month or two since 13 year old Jordan Romero summited Mt. Everest, making him the world's youngest to ever do so. Well, sorry Jordan that's not going to last long. I recently read that other teams and sponsors are currently looking for someone younger to break your record. I'm sorry, but to me it sounds like parents and corporations are trying to profit from this, and that's what it's really all about. Publicity stunts and fame. I'm not saying this is true in every situation, and Jordan is a perfect example. No one can make you summit Everest, but you. There is a point where pure will power comes into play. I'm curious what is a good age for our young adventurers? When are you to young to make sound decisions that your life can depend on? When is parental guidance out the window? How about 5? Have you ever heard of Yunona Bukasov? Check out the list of mountains she summited. Yunona is a child prodigy, so I guess that makes it ok? It sounds like her dad has been with her through all of her adventures, but you mean to tell me that a 5 year old decided for herself what mountaineering is, and that she wants to do it. Kudos to you Yunona, now tell your folks you want to play with friends and watch cartoons. How many 5 year olds do you know that are even allowed to cross the street?
I'm sure all these parents love their children very much and want the best for them, but I have to wonder when are these kids being pushed to far? I had to scratch my head a little when watching a video about Abby. Her parents don't let her walk the family dog alone after dark, but are cool with her soloing a boat around the world. Things that make you go, hmmm? Yeti gear up Codeman, there are records to break! Well, good luck kids! I wish you all the best. Parents keep doing what you're doing, but do it for the right reasons. Some of this is just ridiculous stunts, and some it is legit. I'm feeling another Ballon Boy incident in the near future. Let's not take anything from these kids, what they have achieved is amazing. I just have a bad feeling that someone young is going to get hurt or killed, doing something someone else has convinced them to do.
Menikmati,
Bunny
