Teen sails around the world - alone!

In a world where we are filled with so much fear we do not even let our children come back from the bus stop alone, no matter what their age is here is the story of a teen who for a few months was the youngest person to sail around the world, and is inspiring other teens to do the same. Imagine, as your final year of high school, instead of sitting in classrooms and going to football games, you're sitting on a boat, alone, as you sail around the world. Zac Sunderland did exactly this. And not only did he sail around the world, he kept a blog about his adventures, and completed all of his high school courses online. Zac's story is incredible. With the coaching and blessing of his father, and a little luck on his side, Zac was able to circumvent the entire globe and arrive in Marina Del Ray on Thursday, July 15th, at the same dock from which he set sail.

Zac Sunderland (born November 29, 1991) was, for some six weeks, the youngest person to sail solo around the world, and remains the first person ever to accomplish this feat before their 18th birthday. Zac completed his trip, after 13 months and 2 days at sea, on July 16, 2009 at age 17, when he sailed back in to his port of origin, Marina del Rey, California. The record was previously held by Australian David Dicks, and was surpassed on August 27, 2009 by Mike Perham of the United Kingdom. Sunderland is also the youngest American sailor since 1965 to complete a solo global circumnavigation. (In the late 1960s 16 year-old Robin Lee Graham left Los Angeles, California but did not complete the voyage until 1970, at the age of 21.)

The oldest of Marianne and Laurence Sunderland's seven children, Sunderland's first home was a 17 metres (56 ft) Tradewind sailboat. His family sailed in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Mexico. His shipwright father bought a 51 feet (16 m) Aleutian, and the family made a three-year cruise of California's Channel Islands, Baja California and mainland Mexico.

When Sunderland decided to attempt the circumnavigation, he purchased a 36 feet (11 m) Islander for $6,000, using all of his savings. With the assistance of his father, he retrofitted the yacht for the trip. Sunderland planned to complete his voyage in April 2009 with a maximum time of 18 months.He continued his schooling while on his trip, saying, "I have all my books with me. I have one more year to finish at high school and I have to send back my tests (via e-mail) to my mom. She's going to grade them and make sure I am doing well."

Sunderland departed from Marina del Rey on June 14, 2008. The Intrepid featured the logos of Shuman’s RealSweet, Mastronardi’s Sunset Produce, and his sponsor Produce for Kids, promoting healthy eating and produce consumption for children.

Facing incredibly cold weather, fierce winds, and the threat of pirates off the Indonesia coast, Zac took part in what could be the ultimate coming of age ceremony - just him and the ocean, for an entire year.

Well, maybe not just him and the ocean. He had an internet connection. He was able to communicate with his family and friends, as well as update his blog. He also took virtual classes to finish his school work.

Although Zac was the first to complete such a journey before turning 18, he was beaten a month later by English youth Michael Perham, who began a circumnavigation of the globe on November 16, 2008, and completed it on August 27, 2009. Perham was 16 when he began the journey, and turned 17 on March 16, 2009, while crossing the Indian Ocean.

Abby Sunderland, Zac's sister, is planning to re-take the record. She will turn 16 in October 2009 and plans to depart in November for a voyage that is expected to last six months.

Australian Jessica Watson, 16, is planning a September departure for a trip expected to last eight months.

Laura Dekker, a 13-year old Dutch sailor, plans to sail alone around the world 1 for a two-year voyage. However, her departure is in jeopardy due to legal issues