A 16-Year-Old Girl’s Solo Sail Around the World | Short Film Showcase

When 14-year-old Laura Dekker set out in 2012 to become the youngest person to single-handedly circumnavigate the globe, filmmaker Jillian Schlesinger documented the remarkable 518-day journey. In this excerpt from the full-length documentary Maidentrip, Dekker follows the route her parents took 20 years earlier through French Polynesia. Today, Dekker holds the record for the youngest person to sail around the world by herself.
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A 16-Year-Old Girl’s Solo Sail Around the World | Short Film Showcase

National Geographic

[timothyblazer]

in the last decade there have been a rash of these, but none like Laura. the rest had sponsors, and many were doing solo non stop trips. Laura did this on her own, with only the help of her parents, and not very much money. it should be mentioned, her father is a boatbuilder, so most of this was sweat equity. she chose to do it with stops, because she wanted to actually see some of the world she lives in, not to just do some stunt for attention. respect to her for her singular accomplishment, and it is my wish that more people had the kind of adventurous can-do spirit that she does!

[terebatham]

A childhood spent sailing the seven seas teaches children that their are no real boundaries. I know, as I was fortunate to spend my entire youth on a boat. Later, as an adult, my husband and I, on a shoestring budget, spent 18 incredible years sailing to a multitude of tiny, almost unknown islands in the Pacific. To set off into a place of constant uncertainty can be one of the greatest freedoms we ever achieve.

[hanicho]

This is how I want to live my life, not studying 24 hours just for a specific exam to enter a college. This girl out there living her life to the fullest.

[fdssfew]

All korean 16 years old must to study even pay a lot of money to study academy. And then to be high school student, from moring 8:00 to pm 22:00 we have to study in shcool. And then all man have to go to army because it is the duty.
Her life is real life. People have to live what they want. I had lived like a robot by stupid korea social.
She is amazing girl. I hope living like her

[marcox]

why some negative comments, this is fulckin crab mentality if you guys want also to sail the whole world why not do it youre self, like what she did. it was a milestone for her and she achieved it.

[JonahTyree]

I'm a 16 year old guy. I've taken an interest in learning about sailing and that's what lead me here. This girl will probably never see this, but I want to commend her for her incredible bravery. I would never have the courage to do something like this alone. I wish you all the best in life, and, no matter how weird this sounds, I am very proud of you and what you've accomplished.

[worldrotterdam]

I grew up in Chile and I leant how to sail in the Netherlands. Laura is the perfect example of a Dutch New Zealand young WOMEN girl who has identify her talents and have embraced them. She is a women who does not go with the flow but with her personal flow and that is what life is all about it! Not everybody wants a house, a husband, money, car and then die as she says. Those 54 who do not like this life. I respect them. SAILING LIFE, to me? FREEDOM, respecting the nature and travelling around the world to meet new cultures and to embrace our world....

[aimee]

Meanwhile I'm 16 and not even allowed to be home alone for a night..

[Tipi]

Damn, hats of to this girl, she's brave and smart. I couldn't even imagine doing stuff like that when I was 16.. =)

[bene]

She's got one heck of a story to tell her children and grandchildren, traveling the world like there's no boundaries, sailing the seas, love it, keep adventuring girl, the world needs more people like you :)
- fellow teenager

[stephen]

I just started to take sailing lessons. What an inspiring story. She seems to be a down to earth person with honest comments.

[FrenchyBunnyStudio]

Wow! Amazing girl and such a spirit! I love the skeptical look of the customs officer at 2:25!

[nickigna]

Regardless if the girls parents payed for everything. She decided on a great journey at such a young age. She has more balls than most guys.

[Roscoe.P.Coldchain]

The best education a human being can get is travel....Such a beautiful thing...!!❤️☮️

[asokanvelayuthan]

She is living her life as a true adventurer... so young n so daring!!!

[discoverydavid]

I showed 'Maidentrip' to my Grade 6 (12 years old) students in Thailand, because they tend to be quite infantile, to show them what is possible if they just try. The girls reacted especially well and it bought up the issues that they don't need men (if you've ever lived in Asia you'll get what I mean)...this young lady changed and inspired many of my students to rethink their perceptions. She's a wonderful role model for kids around the world.

[princetonjohnny]

You have that heart to follow your dream to your destiny. The reason for choosing the sea isn't the sea itself, but its openness that set you free. Proud of you

[victoriabelle]

How can she sail the world at 16 when I'm 17 and I can barely go through the McDonald's drive through without bumping into everything?

[antoniomiguel]

Without money you would not be able to sail the world. Thank to your parents, you did it. I totally enjoyed seeing your adventure, and congratulate you for it.

[CKORIET]

Why would anyone click thumb down on this courageous adventurous young girl?!