Thursday, October 29, 2009

Heading Back to Sea



As I'm writing this I'm on an airplane on the way to Rhode Island. My sister, Abby, has bought her boat - a Class 40 fast, racy thing and we are going to be sailing it the 1000nm down the coast to Florida so it can be shipped to Cali. It's gonna be freezing out there so I've got the full foul weather gear packed. David Morris, the trusted meteorologist that routed me safely around the world, said that we're gonna get slammed on Saturday by a fast moving front but it will be good for Abby to see some weather in this boat so were planing on pushing through it.


In other news, Abby and I opened up the newly remodeled Westfield Mall in Culver City last week and I also received the Champion Award from the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research at their LA Cancer Challenge 5k and 10k run. Thanks to everyone who supported me with that. We raised almost $1000 for the cause. Before the run my dad offered 100 dollars for whoever could beat him in the race so race I did - just beating my dad in the last 100yards making a fast hundy and realising how out of shape was as far as running goes! I altered my workouts to focus more on cardio. Well the plane is about to land and I'm gonna be out at sea for the next 6 to 10 days so Happy Halloween everyone.


Peace,

Zac

18 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks for catching us up Zac. Looking forward to hear about the sail down the coast in Abby's new boat.

Who in their right mind would criticize you for making money adventuring. Look at the millions professional athletes in other sports make. You pursue whatever makes you truly happy. Follow God's lead and let us adventure with you through your sharing.

You go Zac. You are amazing.

Love to all, Kathy Bend OR

October 29, 2009 at 10:44 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Zac & Abby
Have a good run......

October 29, 2009 at 12:14 PM  
Blogger Marie said...

It's good to hear news from the Sunderland's once again...

Have a glorious sail to Florida! Will be praying that all goes well on this first of many adventures aboard Wild Eyes. Take good care of your sister, Zac --- what a team you two make!

I totally agree with those who are encouraging you to find a way to get paid doing what you love to do! When that happens, my friend, you will never have to "work" a day in your life! How great would that be?

Blessings!
Marie
WA St.

October 29, 2009 at 2:45 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Have a great shakedown trip to Florida No doubt Abby Dad and Zac will learn many important characteristics of handling her new boat in rough seas the wonderfull Zunderland Yachting tradition continues !

October 29, 2009 at 4:20 PM  
Blogger mforster said...

Dear Zac: I still check your blog each day and am always happy when there is a new entry. Wishing you and Abby safe travels down the eastern seaboard. I agree with the comments from other folks regarding earning funds from your adventure. My advice is not to be defensive, but just continue to explore your dreams whatever they may be.

Marjorie
Baltimore City, MD.

October 29, 2009 at 5:07 PM  
Blogger Rusty said...

"I must go down to the sea again to the lonely sea and sky.
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by.
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking.
And the grey mist on the sea's face and a grey dawn breaking....."

This is a portion of a poem written by John Masefield in 1902.

Zac I knew you would be back out there as soon you could. You and Abby have a great time but be super careful. Tell us all about it when you get home.

Rusty

October 29, 2009 at 6:24 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hay guys have a good sail!
So Zac when are you comming back to Cape Town, its summer and the Waterfront is cooking!!
Later,
Erik

October 30, 2009 at 3:22 AM  
Anonymous Trevor Leslie, UK said...

"my dad offered 100 dollars for whoever could beat him"

So much for him learning from his mistakes in the past, eh? Anyone fancy a trip to the top of the mast?!

;->

As for getting slammed, surely this time you can just tell Abby to get on with it while you hide in that little cabin, shut the hatch and snuggle down?

LOL

October 30, 2009 at 6:15 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Where will you be in Florida and when? We would love to catch up with you and see Abby's boat. Zac, we followed your trip all year!

October 30, 2009 at 10:08 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Speaking of Cape Town,and Erik and Will looks like Abby's boat in its first round also made a stop there.

I think we got to get Abby training on Biltong. No shortage of Biltong in California, not game meats of course, but beef and just as good.

Did Zac ever sniff out some while back home?

Looks like a nice shop in LA, maybe next time Mom or Zac is in town, pick up some for Abby to try. Always good to squirrel away a few big sticks in the boat for a rainy day.

My guess is all different butchers making all their own receipes, just a matter of trying them out to find the one you like:

http://www.latimes.com/features/printedition/food/la-fo-jerky7-2009jan07,0,3757590.story


this one retails at gas stations and convenience stores all over:

http://www.800biltong.com/index.htm

October 30, 2009 at 11:40 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Zac,
That little run should be like a walk in the park for you.
Teach your sister well.
Between you and your dad,she'll have what she needs and I'm sure alot just comes as instinct to the Sunderlands!
...the best to all of you guys!
straight wakes,
Mike S.

October 30, 2009 at 8:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well, here we go again. Great!! Good luck to Abby. You've established that she has the right DNA for this adventure.

I agree with Laffing Dawg whom I think was the first to say that there's nothing wrong with making money from adventuring. His analogy to professional athletes is dead on.

I am not excited about your fascination with Mt. Everest. That has been so 'done' that it's almost trite. There have been so many accounts in books and on film that someone doing it again is a real snoozer. If you must do a repeat of something, so go Alaska, train for and run the Idiatrod. It requires more personal commitment and strength of will than doing Mt. Everest which mostly requires lots of money for staff, crew, and equipment. It's not so much a personal endeavor.

Best of all, do another nautical adventure. You're a sailor. You've sailed around the world. Now go and sail into it. Introduce us to the people and their customs. Live with the Nomads of the Sea (SEAsia), what's up with the Wild Men of Borneo these days? There are marine communities of the shores of Ireland, Great Britain, and Scandanavia where the lifestyles have changed very little since before the Industrial Revolution. Why is that? There are thousands of miles of canals in England and Europe that were the freeways of their day. Wouldn't it be interesting to explore then in a small boat?

Ok, maybe I need to shut up and do something myself!

The Croaker

November 2, 2009 at 12:05 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why do you refuse to put any negative comments here? You know there are some of us who think that the parents are not of sane mind to let their young daughter go out to sea alone. And it also seems that daddy is very generous to buy that boat--is this about him wanting to see the fame of his kids?? There will be us who have doubts and those who cheer you on. Why not add my comment and see who agrees???

November 2, 2009 at 8:36 AM  
Anonymous Melanie said...

Zac,
I happened to check in and found some new posts to the blogs, "Yay!"

So glad to hear that you're back on the water for a real trip, not just toolin' around the bay here at home.

Sounds like that "dreaded weather" is welcomed by all of you and it will give Abby more foul weather experience. Safe sailing to all!

P.S. So nice to see so many familiar names/faces!

November 2, 2009 at 9:43 AM  
Blogger Helen said...

Great to see that you are at sea again! Thinking of you as you make your way down the coast...

November 2, 2009 at 11:34 AM  
Blogger Emily said...

WOW! I am very impressed! How on earth did you do it? Weren't you lonely?
Sounds so interesting- Enjoying your blog.
God bless! :-)

November 2, 2009 at 3:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Greetings Zac!
I hope the three of you (you, Abby and Dad) are well on your way to Florida about now :-) I got the opportunity to meet your Dad 2 weeks ago down at the dock where Intrepid is. What a great man!! He was so nice to speak with about what you have been up to and Abby's upcoming journey. I missed my opprtunity to meet you and Abby at the Westfield mall opening and sure wish I had not have something come up unexpectedly. You are an amzing young man and I really enjoyed followu=ing your trip around the world. That trip has touched the hearts of so many of us around the world. Thanks for keeping up on the website and giving us glimpses of what you have been up to :-)
All the best and prayers as well!
Terri
Gloucester, VA

November 3, 2009 at 4:59 PM  
Anonymous Laura said...

Wow feels like old times...good times!!
Hope all is going well for you and Abby..is your dad with you?
Hope to see you all soon at Abby's departure.
Have a safe sail to Fla. stay dry and warm (it was 94 today) FYI when i lived and married in Cocoa Beach, i spent my honeymoon at Pier 66 Ft.lauderdale. :)
Have fun and post post pictures pictures!!! haha
Laura
Bermuda Dunes ca

November 3, 2009 at 9:43 PM  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home