Laura Dekker

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

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

“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.”

“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.”

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

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

“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.”

“I follow my own head. And if I'm determined to do something, then I'll make sure that I make it happen.”

“I grew up sailing in the North Sea.”

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

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

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

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

“A house is kind of scary.”

“All the media are horrible.”

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

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

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

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

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