Robin Lee Graham on the Latest Teen Circumnavs
By Michael Petrie
|
|
Three weeks after restarting her solo circumnavigation, 16-year-old Abby Sunderland had to be rescued after her Class 40, Wild Eyes, was dismasted in a storm in the Indian Ocean Photo by Jaco Marais/Gallo Images/Getty Images |
In July 1965, at the age of 16, Robin Lee Graham set out on a 33,000-mile, five-year circumnavigation aboard his Bill Lapworth-designed 24ft sloop Dove. National Geographic magazine famously covered the voyage, which spawned two best-selling books—Dove and Home Is The Sailor—a children’s book and a 1974 Hollywood movie, The Dove.
In recent years, another generation of teenagers has set out to establish their own records. In 2009, Zac Sunderland became the first person under age 18 to successfully complete a circumnavigation, an achievement that has since been matched by Brit Michael Perham, age 17, and Australian Jessica Watson, age 16. In June, Sunderland’s 16-year-old sister, Abby, was dismasted and rescued in the Indian Ocean while attempting a circumnavigation of her own.
Not surprisingly, the race to be the youngest has sparked its share of controversy, and the World Sailing Speed Record Council no longer recognizes these age-related records. To get some perspective on the phenomenon, who better to ask than the “teenager” who started it all, Robin Lee Graham? I contacted Robin, now 61, and his wife, Patti, at their home in Montana.
__________________________________________________________________________________
|
| Robin Lee Graham today, with his wife, Patti |
SAIL:You sailed around the world as a teen, but now you’re an adult and have two grown children and three grandchildren. Do you still think it’s a good idea for someone so young to be subjected to the dangers involved in chasing such goals?
Graham: I had a lot of experience before I set sail. I could navigate, was a competent sailor and already had a lot of bluewater experience cruising with my family. I had the strong desire to do it, and knew I was capable of doing it. It sounds like Abby Sunderland has all those same attributes. I’m sorry her voyage was not successful. But storms at sea happen. I doubt her age was the problem. If my kids had that same knowledge and desire, I’d say go ahead, realize your dreams. It’s totally individualistic. One person might be able to do it at age 16, another at 40. A lot of people are never equipped to sail solo. You have to know yourself.
__________________________________________________________________________________
SAIL: But can anyone truly know who they are at such a young age?
Graham: Good point, but who better to know whether a young person is ready for such responsibility than a parent? Sure, there are bad parents with bad judgment. But a good parent knows their child and knows whether their son or daughter can handle it.
__________________________________________________________________________________
SAIL: Yet, your own mother was against you voyaging solo. In your book you discuss how she actually hired a lawyer to try and stop you from setting sail.
Graham: As a parent myself, I have empathy. But even though we cruised extensively as a family when I was growing up, my mother was never really a sailor. Sailing was my father’s passion, and mine. Mom never really understood the whole “lure of the sea” thing. So when I wanted to sail around the world, she just didn’t understand. But once I actually was on my way, she became very supportive. I’d call her on a ham radio rig from various ports, and she was always very encouraging. But it’s a parent’s job to worry. My mom is 88 and still worries about me.
__________________________________________________________________________________
SAIL: So, what do you say to those who might claim it is bad parenting to allow a son or daughter to pursue their passion when that passion leads them into dangerous situations?
RLG: It’s just not cut and dried. Each child is different. Being a good parent means understanding your child, understanding whether they have a strong enough desire to overcome adversity and whether they have the skills, knowledge and maturity to accomplish their goals.
Reader Comments
Robin Lee Graham helped to shape my ambition as a sailor. Not being from a sailing family, I could only watch from the sidelines and dream. I value his insights and opinions and I am glad you had the inspiration to ask him to contribute. I would have difficulty encouraging my daughter to sail around the world (she is 10 years old)at this time, but if she was devoted enough to develop the skills and attitude, I would hope to be open-minded enough to help her realize her dreams. That is a parent's responsibility too.
It's so good to hear from Robin Lee Graham again! He and his wife Patti look extremely well I'm very happy to note. He inspired me to grasp my opportunities for travel with his courageous, but thoroughly prepared, commitment to the ultimate adventure of setting your sails! To sail around the world non-stop for the sake of achieving it at the youngest age though is a pity. Encountering danger in the form of other marine craft, storms, dangerous currents and possibly marine animals is definitely adventurous. Seems a shame to me though that these young sailors missed their opportunity to visit the islands and countries along the way with the wealth of culture and character Robin Lee Graham enjoyed and conveyed to his readers. How much better educated and enriched these junior sailors would be if they could have island tripped, met and mingled!
Always wondered what happened to Robin Graham. Really enjoyed this peice. Well done.
Robin Lee Graham is one of sailing's greatest living legends and it was wonderful to read about him once again after a long absence. More than 20 years ago an old boyfriend gave me a copy of the book Dove and I fell in love with it. First I think I loved it as a love story. I fantasized about being the girl who flowed her man from port to port all over the world, praying for his safe return to me. A second or third reading got me fantasizing myself to be the actual sailor crossing oceans in a small boat and that's what got me hooked on sailing. Today my husband (not the same guy as the old boyfriend ... I wonder what ever happened to him) and my son and I make up an avid sailing family. All because of Robin's book. Thank you Robin Lee Graham. And thank you Sail magazine for reviving this memory of a most inspirational young sailor.
This is an excellent article and interview. Michael Petrie delved deeper into the story behind the story that mainstream media missed. It beckons to an instinct to explore the stuff we are made of and when people did things more for internal discovery as opposed to outer fame and fortune. Petrie really touches on stuff that goes beyond the world of sailing.
25 years ago my son read Robin Lee Graham's children's book The Boy Who Sailed Around The World Alone and it was one of his favorites. Mine too. So I really enjoyed reading this article about Robin Graham and knowing that he is still alive and well.
For readers like me who devoured Robin's books (yup, both of 'em) back in the day, this is one of those rare pieces with perfect timing; newsworthy and current as to the context of the piece (the 'Abby' controversy), interesting to see that Robin is alive and well as it touches on being a 'where is he now' piece (although far too briefly, Id like to know a bit more), and his advice to parents, and to adventure seekers of all ages; timeless.
I, too, am thrilled to hear of Robin and Patti and that they're doing well. I'm now 55 and preparing my boat for Pitcairn sailing. As a youngster, I flunked out of college, made my way to St. Thomas, lived on a boat and found Robin's DOVE nearby. It was a mess! 'Course I just have a Caliber 28, but I'm making it ocean-worthy and will see the same sunsets and dive the same reefs as the fatcat crowd. My thanks to Robin Lee, Herb Payson, Capt. Fatty, Fritz Seyfarth and Dave and Jaja, for inspiration. My dream is finally coming true and I'll sail as far as my boat will take me...
Robin Lee Graham was my inspiration - I followed his adventure in National Geographic; and then made the decision - if he could do it, so could I. Problem was: I was then in my mid 30's with 6 children! Well, to make a long story short, 6 years later we took a 14 month sabbatical:my reluctant wife, 6 children (ages 6 - 19) and I sailed freely (confined to the western hemisphere) aboard our steel, 2-masted schooner. It was an exciting, adventurous, and exhilarating experience - one in which the entire family reminisces on today. Like Robin, we returned to the land (but we have deep memories).
I've probably read Dove a dozen times from cover to cover (also read Home Is The Sailor a couple of times) and saw the movie The Dove at least a dozen times. In my late teens, I'd take my dates to see that movie - and if they did not show proper excitement for sailing & cruising to distant lands, that would be our last date. If they passed the movie test, I'd give them a copy of the book to read. Robin Graham was my litmus test for finding the right girl/woman. Often the best made plans do not work the way intended ... I married a seasick landlubber who only tolerates sailing. Oh well ... love conquers all. Luckily,our kids always enjoyed sailing our family boat, so all was not lost. LOL. Loved reading about Robin Lee Graham again after such a way too looongg absence!!
I guess someone could come up with a video game called Teen Solo Circumnavigation. But then kids already get criticized enough for sitting around the house doing nothing.
Great writing ... I followed Robins adventures in National Geographic at the time. Being just three months younger I dreamed it was me! Just five years after his departure from the Ala Wai in Honolulu I was living aboard my own boat in the Ala Wai and though I never sailed beyond Hawaii I sailed thousands of miles amoung the islands for over twenty years. Thanks Robin and Patti ... I wouldn't have lived that life without your inspiration ... Wonderful to know your doing well.. Peace, and God Bless
(none)Enjoyed the information on Lee Graham. We were childhood playmates while he lived in Baywood Park California. That that time he was sailing a 8ft pram which he would capsize just for fun. I was very sadden when his family move away I lost a great friend. We both love being on the water. I followed his adventures in National Geographic at the time. I went on to serve 30 yrs in the US Navy sailing seas on big aircraft carries. I still dream of sailing on Morro Bay as a young boy with Robin very happy days. Thanks for the memories LEE.
I first read Dove my Jr year in college in 1972 (and of course followed the Nal Geo articles). As a result of the Book, I bought a boat, got married, lived aboard and had three kids, then we moved ashore. We sent my son's book, Robin Lee Graham's children's book The Boy Who Sailed Around The World Alone, to Robin in Montana in 1988, asking for an autograph. He signed it with a nice note and returned it. My son is 27 now and still treasures the book. My son now works in the sailing boat industry and has more ocean miles than I can only dream about. RLG had a great influence on this family.
i am 51 years old and still have the original National Geographic my parents had of Robins journey. It inspired me then and still does today. Robin is one amazing person in addition to an amazing sailor. I wish him and his wife well. God bless.
I'm 53 years old and was living in a rural part of the Big Island of Hawaii (South Point) when Robin was half way around the world in his circumnavigation. Without electricity, we spent a lot of time reading -- and following Robin's adventure in National Geographic. After returning to the mainland my parents sold the family home and moved my twin sister and me onto a 30 ft sloop during our high school years. I have always loved the sea and after three children and thirty five years of marriage I've finally made my way home-- just recently acquiring a 29 foot sloop. My grown son and I are planning our transpacific trip back to the islands with the inspiration of RLG, the Dove, and the Lord. The name of my boat...Manuku. Hawaiian for Dove. God bless you Robin and Patti! Shalom.
So good to catch up with how Robin and Patti are today. I was building my Herreschoff H28 yacht in 1975-77 and Robin's book was my inspiration. Then I saw the film and named my yacht "Summer Wind" after the song "Sail the Summer Winds". Borrowed the Nat Geo mags to read the stories. For the last five years I searched many secondhand bookstores to find those three editions, finally finding two of them in an antique store, then the last one was just sitting on the top of a pile of Nat Geos in another antique shop. I was elated to get them again. Sold Summer Wind in '85 after marrying a non-sailor! Best of luck to Robin and Patti. Jeff C Cox Hastings Australia.
I came to the Dove story by way of the movie in the mid 70's, drawn by the adventure, the wide world, the pretty girl, the testing of the sea. I have read the book and have seen the movie many times since (love the cheesy 70's vibe!)and sail a 14 foot West Wight Potter pocket cruiser. I'm leaving tomorrow for a solo circumnavigation... of Washington's San Juan Islands. Thanks all for the ongoing story! Pattison, Bellingham, Washington
Do you (Robin) have any knowledge of the Okkersey family?
I read the Dove twice and it won't be the last, amazing young man who had true adventure written through his body, I have just given it to my 2 teenager daughters to read in the hope it will make them so much more aware of life and the thrill and beauty of what the world can hold for them if they look,we now live in a consumer driven society where adventure to so many youngsters is parading up and down shopping malls looking for designer clothes etc', I am sure when my girls have read the Dove's adventure it just may make them underststand the meaning of true beauty and how wonderfull things in life don't have to carry a designer label.
I read the Dove twice and it won't be the last, amazing young man who had true adventure written through his body, I have just given it to my 2 teenager daughters to read in the hope it will make them so much more aware of life and the thrill and beauty of what the world can hold for them if they look,we now live in a consumer driven society where adventure to so many youngsters is parading up and down shopping malls looking for designer clothes etc', I am sure when my girls have read the Dove's adventure it just may make them underststand the meaning of true beauty and how wonderfull things in life don't have to carry a designer label.