At age 16, Zac Sunderland embarked on the adventure of a lifetime: he set sail on a record-breaking 13-month journey and became the youngest person to sail solo around the world. Inspired by her older brother’s determination, Zac’s younger sister Abby attempted the same record just one year later, but met with a devastating rogue wave that unexpectedly ended her journey.

Join each of these lifelong sailors turned raconteurs as they share their remarkable stories of courage, perseverance and peril at sea at the Vancouver International Boat Show.

Zac’s 13-month journey earned him a name as the youngest person to solo circumnavigate the globe. He battled fierce storms, real pirates, and many unforeseen escapades. 

Like her older brother, Zac, Abby grew up around water and has been on boats since she was just 6 months old. For years it has been her dream to sail around the world and, after watching Zac successfully circumnavigate the globe in 2009, she felt further motivated to make her dream a reality. With plenty of hard work, support, and perseverance, Abby, then 17 years old, embarked on her own journey around the world, setting sail in January 2010.

Disaster struck when a massive rogue wave disabled her boat, rolling it 360 degrees and tearing off her mast. Abby was forced to end her trip just six months later in June of that same year.

The Vancouver International Boat Show runs February 8-12, 2012, at Granville Island 

Maritimes Market and Marina and BC Place.

Visit VancouverBoatShow.ca for more information on Zac and Abby’s speaking times, as well as ticket pricing.