Origional Writing †Media Coursework Essay

After 6 weeks of non-stop sailing for the 14-year-old British schoolboy, Michael Perham has successfully completed his bearing becoming the greenest person ever to sail solo across the Atlantic, shell Sebastian Clover who, at 15, had held the record since 2003. mike began sailing at the senesce of seven and has since completed the RYA courses in dinghy sailing and windsurfing, as well as cosmos thoroughly prepared by his tiro (a qualified Yachtmaster). Before Mike could begin his incredible journey, he exhausted many long hours persuading wealthy companies to sponsor him so he could pay the trip.No easy task for a 14-year-old Eventually, he managed to gather passable sponsors to buy the 2 yachts and all the equipment, safety measures and back-ups he could possibly need. His main sponsor was Sketchers with forbidden whom the trip would most likely relieve oneself been called finish. The RYA was spill to be the main sponsors of the pair but they withdrew their hand after incriminate Mike of using a category B yacht. The Tide28 did not accompany with the RYAs safety requirements and was not class A.However, Mikes dad said angrily While thats true, we have fortify it up to comply with many of the category A requirements and it is better conform to to our route. Its frustrating that we did not have the chance to say that. He also set up an online website with daily updates to his blog, and details of his trip, location and the charities hes supporting. So far, Mike has raised around i 2,000 distributively for both BBC Children In Need and RYA Sailability (aimed at helping change people to get into sailing). You can donate to either of these charities by visit Mikes website at http//www.sailmike. com/charities. htm. On the 18th November, Michael Perham, from degrade-locked Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, headed off from Gibraltar on the 18th November 2006 with the intention of sailing into the record books in approximately 4 weeks. With his father (Peter, 47) shadowing him, in an identical 18ft Tide 28 yacht Arturus, he and Cheeky Monkey set sail for Antigua. His route side by side(p) the trade winds, tried and tested by seafarers down the centuries, had to include a last minute diversions to the Canary Islands and Cape Verde for equipment repairs.Having planned to cross the 3,500 miles and make it his destination before Christmas, the realisation that his journey time must be extended would have been aggravating but necessary. During the voyage, Mike has encountered all kinds of problems and pleasures, including sharks dolphins gale- rive winds and 25ft waves practically on his journey, Mike was accompanied by the dolphins friendly presence or the sharks more frightening one, but throughout it all, the experiences were exhilarating, Steve, 39, head teacher of premiers School in Brookmans Park (Stuart, 39) said, It was an opportunity in itself.It would be a huge learning curve for him. He would learn resiliency and dea ling with solitude, whilst keeping up on his homework, of course On November 25th, Mike wrote Had my first experience of squalls, they really do knock your teeth out which shows just what a challenge this trip was for him. Despite the Tide 28s being far safer than horse riding, Mike seems to have encountered e really possible hitch, a matter confirmed by Mikes publicist Kizzi Nkwocha virtually everything you could imagine going wrong, did go wrong mechanical failure, technical failure, shark-infested waters, waves the surface of skyscrapers. However, Mike coped remarkably well with all problems sent his way, including diving off his boat to untangle a rope from the rudder. As well as the large amount of sailing thing activities that Mike had to attend to, he enjoyed reading listening to music playing battleships with his dad over the WHF speech sound and, inevitably, homework. He also set-backed to teach himself the guitar and he filmed his most bonzer moments aboard Cheeky Monkey. Mikes reception Antigua was very convivial, with a welcoming flotilla to bring him in, consisting of all sorts of vehicles from dinghies to speedboats.The response from the media was highly laudatory as was that from his parents, with Mikes mum, Heather Perham, 50, (who has remained on dry land in the UK during the voyage with Michaels sister Fiona, 16,) stating Im really, really, really proud of him. Peter, said It has been very hard on him, he has had no Christmas presents, no snacks, no video games or T. V. and no company for 6 weeks now, but everyone here is extremely proud of his achievement, as is Mike. However, the public reply has been largely 2-sided whereas it was expected Mikes achievement would be celebrated, in many cases, jealousy or some other factor has caused overmuch criticism of his achievement. The main objects of dispute have been that Mike was from an upper-class family, and so had more opportunity and the fact that his dad was following a geminate of miles behind. One online correspondent even said So Little master copy Fauntleroy has sailed across the pond, big deal Whereas another pointed out If a force 10 gale had hit, Peter Perham would have enough to worry about on Arturus, let alone chasing after Michael.He would have had to cope alone. To start with Peter said Michael said to me It would be great if I could do that, Dad. As a parent I just thought it was a typical boys dream. I never thought it would in reality happen. Now he has been proven wrong to his delight and all in all this is a remarkable achievement for someone so young and he deserves all the praise he is given. And who knows how many people have turned their thoughts to the future already Will an adventurous 13-year-old break Perhams record any time soon?