10 year anniversary of my circumnavigation
Caribbean Sailing & water skiing
13th January 2022
Exploring the Tobago Keys paradise & Palm hats
23rd January 202210 year anniversary of my circumnavigation
Exactly 10 years ago I sailed my ‘’little Guppy’’, a beautiful 40ft bright red ketch, through the bridge in St.Maarten, The bridge and St.Maarten yacht club were full of people cheering and congratulating me for my successful solo circumnavigation of the globe. To me this was such a strange feeling, even now when I think back about it it’s with mixed feelings. The last stretch I had been at sea for 41 days sailing straight from South Africa to the Caribbean. I had been on my own for so long, and I had made this trip pretty much solely to get to know myself, to get to know the world, to explore the unknown – and I think most of all to challenge myself and get away from a system that I did not fit in, a system that didn’t allow the learning space that I wanted and needed. That this behaviour consequently made me world-famous and turned out to be a world record (that is still standing today) didn’t really occur in my mind at all. And therefore the marking point of actually breaking that world record somehow didn’t do much to me. All I wanted was to hug my family, have a warm shower, some decent food, and then keep sailing 🙂
If anything, my trip around the world fuelled my addiction to sailing, to traveling, to learning as much as I could about anything and everything. There was no way I was going back to the system I didn’t fit in. I continued to my country of birth, New Zealand where I built a life for myself. I did various jobs, got my captain’s license, did yacht deliveries, wrote a book, backpacked and traveled many countries, and continued living on my trusted boat, the boat that had given me the freedom I had so badly longed for.
Now 10 years later from that day that officially ended the journey that had so much more impact on my life than I could have ever imagined, I am peacefully anchored in the Tobago Keys on a beautiful 72ft bright (red ketch again ;-), also named Guppy – in memory of my ‘’little 40ft Guppy’’
Today as captain, I look back at this day with 9 teenagers, my partner, son, and crew member we have onboard – I’m not sailing alone anymore, but being able to share what I have learned, seeing the teens learn and still learning and seeing new things myself every day is the best things I could have ever wished for 🙂
Laura
8 Comments
I just finished watching your movie. Better late then never.
Wow! Wow! Wow!
To full fill your dreams, what an accomplishment.
I wish you more success in your future.
You’re much admired.
I was thinking of you on this memoriable anniversary a few days ago. How time flies since all the attention 10 years ago. But you have continued on to achieve many more great goals and these now without so many looking on….that is good I think. You have been giving so much back to everyone…..good that they (the people you met on your first world round trip) gave so much to you. That has certainly payed off. Looking forward to hearing and seeing pictures about your future travels. That gives me soooo much joy. Thank you for being who you are!
Ben
Hoi Laura, wat is dat supersnel gegaan hé? Wat moet het een rare gewaarwording zijn voor je om nu dezelfde reis tien jaar later te maken met je eigen gezin. Ik ben zo trots op je! Nu kinderen, deze tieners, leren zichzelf te ontdekken en vooral te accepteren. Al varende hun levenslessen opdoen. Dat moet fantastisch zijn.
Ook voor mij heb je, mede dank zij je boek, veel betekend. Je hebt me enthousiast gemaakt voor de watersport, zodanig dat ik nu ook op een (motor) boot, al heeft dat zijn redenen.
Het is leuk je blogs te lezen en ik geniet van de foto’s. Het zou fantastisch zijn dat eens in het echt te kunnen meemaken. Je hebt een prachtjob Laura, GO ON!
Groetjes, Jacco.
10 years, Laura our congratulations.
10 years ago you sailed through the bridge of St. Maarten.
We were present at that unforgettable moment. Many boats, many people.
Everyone was excited, except you! You stay calm and look around.
When the official talks were over, you was sitting in Guppy’s cockpit with your
mum, dad and sister drinking a cold cola. That was your moment to enjoy.
The next day I asked you if you was tired after your solo circumnavigation.
No omi, you said. I love sailing and I only sailed from island to island and again
to the next island. And now am here.
A little confused, I realised you feel most happy sailing at the oceans
Wish you can do this for many years.
Omi, u heeft werkelijk een kleindochter om trots op te zijn, súpertrots! Ze heeft zich zo kranig door alle tegenslagen geworsteld en het tot haar voordeel gebruikt. Ook voor mij is ze een enorme inspiratiebron. Tien jaar geleden dacht ik ook: wat moet een meisje van 14 jaar nou alleen op de oceaan? Maar na haar boek gelezen te hebben begrijp ik haar. Ook ik loop, na de scheiding, tegen dezelfde gemene en corrupte overheid aan. Ik mocht echt veel van haar leren. En hoewel ik niet kan zeilen woon ik nu tóch op een (motor) boot. En kwam tot rust! Mede dank zij Laura. Nu ben ik zelf opa en hoop dat mijn kleinkinderen zich ook zo fantastisch ontplooien.
Gefeliciteerd met dit jubileum. Hartelijke groet, Jacco.
Hi Laura, well I have finished the book of Boris Herrmann about his vendee globe 2020/ 2021. For him the loneliness on sea was the biggest problem and you write in your book, that these long non stop sailing from Darwin to Durban and from South Africa stright to the Caribian were the best parts for you. That is the biggest difference I could find between you both. Rudi
Aloha Laura,
My students had distance learning this week because the whole cafeteria staff was out. I usually check out what movies our local library has that they might be interested in on this platform called Kanopy. I showed them Maidentrip and they were all loving your story, so relatable, yet so inspiring beyond words.
I have a friend who was planning his circumnavigation from Hawaii, but has paused due to the pandemic. Watching your story has given me such a better understanding of how beautiful the solitude is and I feel more connected to his yearning, and will continue to do so when he is gone. Thank you for giving us a piece of yourself, it means so much to me personally. I can’t explain how much this movie and your story and thinking about you has given me a deeper connection to the ones I love and my love for nature, solitude and our mother ocean.
Please feel free to contact me if you are ever in Hawaii or just want to connect:
808-497-8517
Mahalo!
Dear Laura, congratulation again, to your achivement 10 years ago; and what you had made from it. Most delighted I am seeing you with others, with your own family, your crews, your friends and fans! Stay to be curious. The very best to you and all people important in your life! Georg BTW: Nice collage!