Laura Dekker was the youngest person to circumnavigate the world with stops. But Jessica Watson was the youngest person to circumnavigate the world non stop at 16. A great achievement by both Women.

When I was her age, and on through my 20's, I was obsessed with the idea of sailing alone around the world. I would spend all of my days reading every account of anyone who had done it, and tons and tons of books about sailing. But I never took the initiative to turn that obsession into reality, and so it just stayed there, haunting me. Now, at 70, it's one of my biggest regrets, and I honestly believe that it would be better for a person to pursue their dreams, even if they die while doing it, then to opt for a "safe" life. It is true that regrets are seldom about what we do, and almost always about what we don't do!

Her parents may be crazy but they raised one hell of a great daughter !

Excellent video. We need more women like her and a lot fewer kardashian's

I thought it was a tough audience. This brave young girl is speaking in a second language about a fantastic achievement beyond the comprehension of the majority, I feel that they might have warmed to her more. She is a sailor speaking in public not a public speaker talking about sailing. That said what a fantastic and positive human being truly inspirational hat's off to her.

I love this young lady! At 13 I was hitch hiking around the UK solo. At 14 I bought my first boat from my paper round and canoe-camped for weeks with my younger brother down British rivers. By the age of 16 I was hitch hiking solo around Europe.. and so it went on: by 23 I was trekking solo through the mountains of Papua New Guinea... and so it went on and on: last year I drove right around Ghana..I'm 66 now and I don't give up. But this girl is seriously outstanding: so brave and amazing: I salute her!!

She did more for herself with that, than spending 4 years on high school and another 4 on the university. Not to mention spending 100k for education aswell. Good job, I'm proud.

This girl...She grabbed life and ran with it! Most of us grew up going to a school teaching us to be a good citizen, how to fit the mold, to be productive, to get a house, a car, a mortgage on all of it, not to think out of the box. This girl never had that, no one told here what she couldn't do.

Laura, you are surely one of the very strong persons on this planet. As a sailor with 40+ years of experienceI I can tell. I have 4 kids who I carefully involve in sailing; may they gain some of your strength. Thank you for sharing your experience! Blessings to you and to your future projects!

Awesome! It shows, that whoever taught her about sailing, also taught her about life...her dad, and mom. This is about essentials, and being confident enough, just not overconfident. I wish her a good life.

Incredible! 14 years old! I get nervous being on a raft too far off the beach! I just can’t fathom this journey! “You’re in a storm and there is no way out so you just sail through it!” Great analogy for life.

Laura had me at 'working at 8 years old' to go after her dream. If she'd merely sailed the English Channel, she would still be so inspiring for children young and old. Bless those around her for empowering her and not dissuading her from going after her dreams.

The wonderful product when parents support their children's dreams instead of holding them back for safety's sake. Quite a young woman, the world needs more people like her.

She is the Mozart of sailing. Amazing young lady.

"It was the end of a dream, but the beginning pf my life." So poetic.

remarkable young woman...I wish you a long adventurous and love filled life.

Wow! I have always dreamed of sailing around the world. Yet, at 42, I have never been sailing. I have so much respect for this girl. You are truly an inspiration to the young and old!!!!

What an exceptional person! A beautiful soul packed in an equally beautiful "box"; what a nice combo. If someone describes her as "naive" he/she is damn wrong 'cause this girl is not. She's only innocent and my hope is that she'll preserve this quality for the rest of her life. Pay attention to what she choose to mention (at least twice) out of her extraordinary adventure: not the crazy idea of navigating alone around the world (especially at 15-16 years old - a thing which few of us would ever consider at 30 or 40), not the storms, nor the many desperate situations, but the generosity of those islanders whom had pretty much nothing and still shared whatever little they had with her. Wow! Good luck and Godspeed

Laura,i have no words... I left my family when i was 15 and went to Africa on my own. My parents were born there,i heard so many stories,i wanted to see it. Ended up staying for 4 years. Changed my life for sure... I love the sea, and love sailing... You are amazing... ( To make a long story short).... Like a boss... Respect to you....

you brought a tear to my eye , Bravo for you and your parents

I meet Laura and her partner in Whangarei, NZ - they were on a boat here, no surprise. There is always more to the picture, but the picture that needs to be painted clearly is that young people need to have the opportunity for adventure and excitement. In Laura's case she was fortunate her father was into sailing, so no co-incidence there. But it does not have to be sailing... there are other young people doing amazing things. I meet a guy who had walked the entire coast of the North and South Island's on NZ (I think it took him about a year?).. getting by as he could. As for the court case to try and stop her, well the World is full of (arrogant) "do gooders", all trying to make out they are doing "it" for the other person when that is nuts as all humans only do anything if there is a "pay off" to themselves - and the "pay off" to these do gooders is that people doing what Laura is doing does not fit their limited World view, so they blow a gasket... you can assume they never had an ounce of adventure in their lives, and look what they turn into. These same "do gooders" will also be the ones who run around blaming drugs and drug dealers, having "wars on drugs" and wondering what happened. Well if you stifle a young persons creativity and sense of adventure guess where they might find it ?... whilst adventure may carry risk, there is also the risk of not pursuing goals and dreams.. but that is never talked about... so if you are a younger (or even an older) person and have a dream, go for it, and you just have to accept that everything in life is a risk.. I am 63 and not putting my feet up for sure...

Whoever hasn't seen her documentary where she set sail.. Should watch it, it's extremely mind blowing and inspiring.. I love this girl, now she is all grown up to a amazing wonderful beautiful woman with such humbleness , who is married now but still adventures..

I share this video monthly to my resident at the hospital to inspire them to greatness. The dedication to the dream is evident in your journey. Very few can do this and we are all amazed.

So beautiful a story and young lady, Laura Dekker you are amazing...have a wonderful life!

What a pleasure it is listening to this beautiful young lady "share" her thoughts and experiences of realizing her dream of sailing around the world. Will all teachers and students please report to the auditorium for a must- see presentation on inspiration. When she spoke of the people that shared with her what little they had, I had my kids come down and listen to that. Just to help reinforce the importance of gratitude; being satisfied with what you have and not constantly asking for more.

What an amazing woman. Massive respect to the courageous instinct to do something like this at such a young age.. Well bloody done girl!

I started sailing seven years ago. Three years ago my vitiligo set in and I began to get sunburns really easily. I started to appreciate shitty weather a lot more and improved my sailing quite a bit.

I'm 72 years old and I now have a new hero.

to have very little and so freely and happily give it away, that is a far much more beautiful thing then collecting the greatest amount of money and saving it and keeping it from everyone else. Two totally different people. Thanks laura

Laura, You are a very courageous young lady, and absolutely awesome person. If only there were more people like you in this world. Don’t worry about the future Laura, you find your way in this world. The ocean and life has tough you a lot and you are and will be an inspiration to many people of all ages. I personally had found your story very inspiring.

I remember reading about her legal battles prior to her big voyage. Glad she was able to go! I often wonder after someone accomplishes something quite incredible at a young age if they have trouble finding fulfillment in lesser things. Very cool story, and I certainly hope she continues to live an exciting and rewarding life.

Absolutely Amazing young woman. She is brave. And, I agree with another comment, the audience didn't help her by warming up to her even after she told them she was afraid up there speaking more than sailing around the world. Oh Well! Thank you for this wonderful, exciting video. She is one special young woman.

What an incredible young lady telling her unbelievable solo journey around the world in a VERY small sailboat. Kudos to you Laura, may all the winds blow fair for you on your continuing adventures through life and, if they don't, I'm positive you will be up to the challenge with your obvious creativity and tenacity!

What an amazing girl. She has achieved so much in her short life!

Freaking outstanding young woman. What a hero and a great example of a human being.

This young lady is so incredibly brave and inspirational and watching her story gave us a kick up the backside to set sail! ⛵️

Just beyond amazing, impressive, and inspiring. What an ambassador for humanity and youth.I wish nothing but the very best for this young , extraordinary lady.

I must admit, Laura Dekker has become a great inspiration for me :-D

You are the bravest, most honorable,and true to your heart person I have seen ever! You are my hero!

This is the most amazing and inspiring thing I have ever seen. So much courage, so much intelligence, so much love. And perhaps above all sheer perseverance in the face of all sorts of challenges. Here is a person of exceptional worth to all of us

Guys, To **support Laura Dekker, please check out her movie "Maidentrip" on Amazon or Netfix. **please up vote to support Laura!

Laura your an inspiration,you have lived life they way you wanted . I'm sitting on my little sail boat at 50 years of age wishing I had your courage, best wishes Andy

What an amazing young lady. Very inspiring. My second time watching and I was still awed by this extraordinary young girl who let nothing stand in her way. Rock on girl. You will change the world!!

Such a VERYSTRONG fresh heart to be alone in storms and bad weather. Thumps up and proud of you. I used to be a captain on merchant vessels and understand well the conditions of the ocean, but never sail alone like you. You break record in that very young age. You did it! VERY PROUD OF YOU!

Truly inspirational young woman. Good for her! More of us should follow our dreams and be happier with less. Kudos to those parents too, for having the strength and fortitude to encourage Laura in fulfilling her dream. I like that her father taught her everything he could about the boat and the systems onboard, so she was well-equipped to handle every challenge. Her strength, courage, and attitude is the stuff of heroes!

An old soul in a young body. She has skipped over a lot of the crap most folks go through. Wow, amazing story. Inspiring. What a journey!

Never stop moving Laura . . . some of us need you to lead the way..

wow ! Great story, I don't think many truly know what an accomplishment this really is. 1 year sailing solo around the world in a boat that small, truly amazing!

You are a wonderful young lady, and so brave. Keep moving forward in your life, you will do better and grander things.

All the special conditions where united in her upbringing to make this possible but that was not enough. She still had to be a special kid with a uniquely driven mind and free spirit to pull this off. Her winning sailing competitions at a young age was probably a strong indication of a gifted kid but still: how many parents would let their 14 years old alone to the oceans? Unique and crazy family for the adventure of a lifetime.

They need to show this kind of thing to more young kids in school. These kinds of stories should be everywhere in the media! LIVE life. Soooo many people on cell phones these days and worried about status and material things.

Well done young lady!!!!!.... showed the lads that you are as good as anyone else sailing.

I saw a picture of her when she wasn't aware of the photographer probably ...the look in her eyes and face was simply gladiator steel. The Ocean is....not anything I would ever take on one to one. And I don't have any fear of what walks the earth....man or beast so respect this young person.

I just want to Thank You for sharing your story Laura. How absolutely amazing! I feel like I can be a little more brave now. I really needed that today :)

Amazing job sailor! I an very proud of your accomplishments, and would like to commend your parents for having bestowed great knowledge upon you. You are the salt of the earth. Continue to be fearless, my thoughts are with you.

When you are well trained, you know your equipment inside out and you know what to do when all hell breaks loose, you are ready. Laura Dekker is such a person.

All of a sudden Byonce doesn't seem so cool.

THEEEEEEE most amazing person - video I have seen! Great! Good! AMAZING!! Thank you!

Bravo Laura Dekker.....wishing you all the best on your journeys and a great life ahead!!!!

I only have grandsons right now, but you better believe they’re gonna hear this story. And, when I’m blessed with granddaughters, they’re DEFINITELY going to hear this story. Remarkable young woman.

I really love her story and the way she presented is great, I am a sailor in Miami, ¨Coastal sail¨still, Laura has inspired me to start preparing to start a Caibbean trip at least.

Admirable,mind blowing,astonishing ... was coming to my mind,as I was listening to her ! Auf deutsch : Überwältigend und bewundernswert was Laura Dekker in so einem jungen Alter erlebt und erreicht hat - absolut beneidenswert ! - Was für eine tolle junge Frau !!!

Pure inspiration. Thank you for a wonderful talk! Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy.

Thumbs-Up #3.8K-PLUS I AM, Tuesday evening 26 June 2018! If I had been in that audience I would have given her a standing ovation! SHE is what youth is about! She is what discovery is about! SHE is amazing! Her parents need to be asked for a lengthy interview.

What a beautiful young woman with strength of character.

So beautiful and inspiring!

I was following along as best I could during her trip. When she lost her mast I was afraid it was over. So glad that didn't stop her. I was in my 50s and had a 15 year old hero. Inspiration can come from any direction!

What a fabulous beautiful human being that you are Laura. And your parents must be the proudest ever. This is one of those observations one makes of the human condition. Human beings - Capable of such beautiful dreams and yet on the other hand, capable of such horrific nightmares if they lose their way. What an inspiration, I am sure that Laura's influence has opened the eyes and minds of so many young people, (and adults!) to be what they can be, share and do to fully celebrate and experience life as the most precious a gift one can have.

Just an amazing young lady - truly inspirational!

Not sure you will read this? I have been inspired to show this to my 7 Granddaughters because I have been telling them to open their minds to all the possibilities to this great world. You are so awesome and I know you have heard that so many times but you have changed my life and how i will relate to my Granddaughters that I need to inspire. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING THIS. best to you in your life !!

This woman is incredible. I give her so much respect for her bravey.

Thank you Laura for pursuing your dream and showing that it can be done

This without question the most amazing video I have ever seen

"Laundry doesn't wash itself..." Priceless.

Have just watched Sailing Doodles channel and Laura has donated her yacht Guppy to a charitable organisation in the states that helps people learn about sailing and boatbuilding,etc. Awesome Laura Decker.

Natural courage is a God given strength and Laura has been blessed with it. Proud for you.

wow , so many thoughts rushing thru my head.

She's so amazing. Gorgeous, brilliant, and so emotionally healthy. She and her parents should co-author a book on parenting. Very few people her age are so independent and emotionally well differentiated. Using the Dutch legal system to establish her formal independence must've taken so much courage and drive. She just didn't believe the word "no" had any meaning in her life. What an absolutely incredible blueprint for any young person seeking similar goals. She's just incredible!

My god what a wonderful courageous human I wish her all the luck in the world you are truly a teacher we all could learn from

What an incredible inspiration you are young lady!!! I also extend major props to your parents - all the pieces fit allowing you to pursue your dream. When people ask "what's life about?" Knowing your story, may provide some answers.

I am so impressed!!! What a Beautiful soul.

I am so happy for this girl I cried!

Awesome! So prod to have seen this young lady go after & concur her goal! 👍

Truly an amazing young woman! Keep reaching for the stars, young lady!

Que gran inspiración! Gracias!!

This young lady has balls! I would not sail an entire ocean with ppl (i would love to though) and solo wih her age... RESPECT!

Wow. One of the most interesting videos I've seen. And this from an adventureous teen girl who is a great story teller. My compliments to her parents for raising an exceptional daughter and one of the guttiest and intelligent teen girl I've seen. Not to mention how pretty she is.

Crazy ! KZfaq recommended this to me, and its been in my sailing playlist since it first came out !

One of a kind brave young girl on high seas, great achievement and with superb navigational expertise all alone by herself. She should have received a title from the World Guiness Record for this!

this is so inspirational me and my friend have also just bought our first boat at the age of 15

I cried during most of this just awesome you are an inspiration and wonderful person I also love to sail

No one knows where such intelligence comes from, but it is this young women's spirit that drove her to complete her goal. To circumnavigate the world. Her journey, I imagine, began when she started using her imagination. Then came the dreams. Followed by reality. The reality of doing something so utterly amazing, even now, it's hard to comprehend. Its one thing to sail into danger because you have no choice, but to do so on purpose........amazing. I respect this young lady. For she represents what humanity ought to be about. She took a dream, turned it into reality and went with it. Along her journey, she learned more in one year at sea, then any 4 year institution could have taught her. Her love for life just brings tears to my eyes. Her soul is connected to the oceans which belong to God. That connection is forever. The people she encountered were amazing. Kind, thoughtful, decent. You can't learn that in a 4 year institution. Then, of course, their is her excellent grasp of sailing. A true art in its purest form. One must work with the seas, the winds, life on and in the seas. Navigational skills aside, at 14, most young girls are worrying about what to wear at a dance, she excelled at navigation. Yes, she had some modern technologies, to assist her, but she did this alone, completely and utterly alone. 14 year old kids aren't supposed to be able to do such things, but Laura Dekker did. We are blessed to have such a beautiful, intelligent, young person in our midst. She reminds all of us that: No matter how crazy, how big, how difficult your dreams are, they're your dreams and no one can take them from you. *what the sea hath taken, the sea shall give back* ⛵ JR

If young people weren't put into prison-camp "schools" where they are forced to go by the state, by police and force, and by the threat of rejection from their own parents (the feeling they won't be loved or approved of by their own blood because they don't do well in a state examination and measurement of them) -- If that wasn't the case , and instead, a lot more young people were encouraged by parents to do something they love, which is clever, and devote all their attention to a clever thing they like to do, a lot more amazing and self-educated people of genuine high-distinction would exist.

Watch the film "Maidentrip", showing her voyage! Camera: Laura Dekker. Great fun!

Woww I am blown away by this young gal amazing how she chased her dream and still chasing other dreams well done

What an amazing young lady. Your story inspired this 47-year-old. Thank you and I want to sail the world soo badly, just have to do some convincing.

Now there is a young lady who is going to have an amazing life! Unlike mine which is sitting watching videos of people having adventures while avoiding work emails.

you're an amazing young lady ! well done girl !

one of the most impressive people on this planet. Shows that willing something you can achieve anything you can think

I followed Laura on her Journey through friends it was hard getting any information on her sail at the time. What is even more inspiring than this is the Girls who rowed across the Pacific. Anyone who has sailed a boat across any stretch of water can truly imagine what these people have done. It is a different world out there once you lose sight of land. Laura is one truly inspiring girl. My eldest daughter (12) has a photo of Laura on her wall. Not a bad role model I say!