A little bit about Laura and Sander
Hi! We are Laura and Sander. We met during a sail race in the Netherlands in which I ( Laura) had borrowed Sanders self-build proto Mini 6.50. Sander couldn't sail the mini himself at the time because of his shoulder operation. After the race, we remained in close contact talking a lot about my idea of setting up some sort of long-distance sailing program for youngsters. An idea that had been in my head for many years and I was determined to make reality. Together with Sanders's input and idea's the Laura Dekker World Sailing Foundation slowly came to life, as did our relationship. In 2018 we bought an old Jeanneau Trinidad in Greece and brought it to the Netherlands where we completely refitted the boat and made it our home together with our now infant son.
Sander was still working full-time as a boat builder and I continued with writing, speaking engagements and of course, now being a mom as well. Together we designed a ship that would fulfil all the criteria for a perfect oceanworthy youth sailing expedition ship. With our combined boat-building and designing skills we were on the verge of starting the daunting task of building the 24-meter sail training expedition ship ourselves, having already secured several sponsors and a building location. Sander had just quit his job when covid hit. With that the building location was cancelled and several sponsors said they would rather wait to see what this new era would bring.
A big decision needed to be made. Several years before I had visited a Scorpio 72 in France. A boat that, I thought at the time could be altered to become a nice sail training ship. That time I wasn't able to make a satisfying deal with the owner but times changed. The boat was still on the market, not a complete surprise as she was in very poor condition and the passing years hadn't improved it. With the three of us, we stepped into our 1988 Toyota Camry and drove to France, surveying the ship and making a final offer, which was accepted.
In the two months following we sold everything we owned to secure the money for the wreck we just bought. The broker didn't even want to go on a little test run in the harbour.. That should tell you enough ;)
Together with my father we worked some magic onboard and somehow managed to sail her straight to a shipyard in the Netherlands. This was a very good thing as one of the thru-hulls broke just after haulout and the engine's oil hose burst just before turning the engine off. Time was now a ticking bomb, in order to get the ship ready for her first crossing with teenagers Me, Sander and my dad worked relentlessly for two and a half months to get her back to being a safe and seaworthy ocean-going ship again. Thru-hulls were closed and changed, the interior was altered to suit the needs of a training ship, new electrical installations were made, the rigging was thoroughly checked and fixed, new sails, engine and generator overhaul and well, we could keep going with an endless list of things that needed to be done. But somehow, we managed and that same year in November we left with a group of teenagers onboard our Scorpio 72. Now bright red and named ''Guppy'' in memory of my beloved Jeanneau gin fizz in which I had solo circumnavigated the world.
The first 6 month Atlantic Roundtrip in 2020/2021 was a big success and confirmed that our idea of taking teenagers on long sailing voyages to teach life skills and self-confidence work. Not only that, we realised how much we learn from the teens as well and that every group that comes onboard becomes in some way a part of our family. This wasn't just a foundation we would run, this quickly became our entire life and Guppy our beloved home.
Over the years we continued to improve Guppy in between voyages, continuously fixing and changing to make her better suited for the foundation's purposes. Some of the things we have done to Guppy over the years are:
Made a new walk-in fibreglass bowsprit ( the old one was wood, and we didn't trust it anymore)
New standing and running rigging
Build a dodger
Installed two new engines ( from single to twin prop)
New water and diesel tanks ( now laminated onto the hull instead of loose tanks)
Removed teak deck and installed tread-master
New windows in saloon and dodger
Removed and re-sealed all the portholes.
Besides of course a big big list of smaller but equally important jobs.
In 2022 we welcomed our second child, Alex was born onboard Guppy ( luckily after the 6 months Atlantic Roundtrip, but sailing 10,000 while pregnant was worse then some storms I have seen ;)
We will continue to work hard and improve Guppy to take on all of the world's waters and keep providing opportunities for kids and teenagers to join us onboard our home and sail the world with them.
If it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you
The concept in short
Up to ten trainees, divided into different age groups ( varying from 8 to 16 years old), can participate in the programs which we are running. You will travel to many areas in which Laura was also during her solo world voyage
We focus on teaching our students the primary life skills needed to start their independent journeys in life and become a successful part of our society.
You will be involved in all aspects of the trip - preparation, cooking, maintenance, navigation, watches, sails, provisioning etc. Through this creating a small society aboard the ship in which the students can safely but effectively discover their talents in the diversity of tasks onboard. But also learn to take responsibility, make independent choices and collaborate with others ( from different cultures and from other backgrounds)
Education Goals
What we aim to give the students that sail with us.
- Build self confidence
- Respect for others, realise everyone is different and that's ok.
- Experiencing the need for teamwork and a good work ethic
- A sense of community
- Developing problem solving and leadership skills
- Take responsibility for their own actions and decisions
- Developing social and life skills
- Learn about our environment and how to take care of it.
- Learning sailing and navigation skills
- Encouragement to lifelong learning
- Experience the pleasure of simplicity ( how less can be more)
- How to achieve their own dreams & goals.
The Trust is committed to providing opportunities for young people regardless of circumstance or ability.
Modern technology
There will be no wifi or internet onboard the ship, a perfect moment to start writing, reading and learning who you are without the world telling you who you should be. A perfect moment for personal conversations without distraction and a perfect moment to learn how to navigate the world without google & google maps ;)
Teamwork
The ship is a small space on which there is no way out, when arguments arise they will have to be dealt with in a good manner. It’s like a small community and everyone has duties to attend to that are important for the balance onboard. Communications skills and working together play a vital role in the everyday life onboard.
We leave the students to figure out their own arguments, differences and paths, however the crew will always make sure that no boundaries are crossed and help to guide the students should that be needed.
The unpredictable nature of sailing presents real and honest physical, mental and emotional challenges. It is a genuinely life changing experience with many unique learning experiences.
Self Confidence
Some students will be very confident when they come aboard and others might not have so much confidence in their own skills, but living and working together onboard will balance this out quickly. New skills will be found an acquired while the students take over the commands of the ship and need to work together to navigate and sail the ship but also to take care of each other by cooking, cleaning and helping each other though hard times.
The crew will only jump in when the safety of students, crew or ship becomes and issue.
This way we provide for a safe and protected way for the students to learn how to stand on their own feet.
Motivation & determination
Sailing a ship across an ocean in a small team is no easy feat, there will be many hard times in which the students need to show determination, motivation, skill and teamwork to get through.
Personal experiences:
"My father and the sea were the best teachers I have ever had. And I want to pass on exactly these experiences that have shaped me so much, "says Laura. And where could a passionate sailor like her do it better than at sea?
"We want to bring together young people from very different social
classes and sail with them," Laura explains the concept. "They learn to
take responsibility, they have to face the forces of nature, operate the
boat, navigate, cook, repair equipment. This will be hard for some. But only what challenges you makes you grow and helps you to discover your self-confidence, your interests and talents."
Laura speaks from experience. She was often told as a child that she should not do certain things or that she was too young, especially with regard to her circumnavigating the world. The Dutch Childcare, the media and even the Dutch Government wanted to keep her from traveling. "I am convinced that many young people have much more potential and capabilities than the older generation is aware of."
