I was four when I first stood at the helm on my own.

Laura Dekker

Categorized in : Firsts Four Helm

As soon as I get on my boat, something inside me changes. Then I really feel what living is.

boat feels

I follow my own head. And if Im determined to do something, then Ill make sure that I make it happen.

determined ill happens

Since I was 10 years old, I knew I wanted to sail around the world.

sail world years

Over a period of 11 months I was constantly afraid that Youth Care would lock me up. It was all a frightening and traumatic experience. So often these terrible memories come to me. I can't ignore them.

locks care memories

At sea, I feel comfortable and I come to rest.

comfortable sea feels

It was really weird dealing with the media. I had no idea how to handle it.

really-weird media ideas

I really like boats. If you want to go somewhere, you just take your house with you.

boat house want

When I'm not surfing or sailing, I am to be found at the harbour working on my boat.

working i-am boat found

I love my parents. But they have their life, and I have mine.

mine parents love life

I'm still not used to the idea of being the youngest circumnavigator.

youngest still being used

My parents have sailed around the world; they know what can happen and that it's not always fun, but because I want to do it so much, they agreed and supported me.

parents me fun world

I grew up sailing in the North Sea.

north up sailing sea

A house is kind of scary.

scary kind house

I do not often get lonely, and I never get bored.

get never bored lonely

I want simply to learn about the world and live freely.

learn live want world

I am not going to say much about the film 'Maidentrip,' but I won't be representing it, as I am not fully standing behind it.

behind i-am say standing

As a 13-year-old girl, it was never my intention to be the center of world news.

never news girl world

In England, I met a couple who run a children's home. They were very kind and showed me many nice spots in England.

me nice home children

All the media are horrible.

horrible media