Q&A: Long way round

Two years to circumnavigate

As Emily Richmond prepares for her ‘spiritually enhancing’ two year circumnavigation of the world, WideWorld talks to her about aims, aspirations and motivations. The 24-year-old departs in January 2010 to travel the planet aboard her sailboat S/V BOBBIE. However, Richmond isn't racing around the world in pursuit of a record;  she is plotting a two-year adventure, prioritising experience above all.

“I’m not looking for a pat on the back, a tick off the list or screaming headlines. It's about learning and meeting people and really pushing myself,” she tells us.

How do you feel about the two year circumnavigation?

Mostly excitement, I guess. Well, at the moment it's a pretty even mix of both excitement and stress – so many things to do! I'm waist-deep not only in the physical preparation of the boat (new rigging, small bits of construction, engine overhaul, etc.) but also negotiating sponsorships, researching ports of call and organising visas.

What do you think you will miss the most about going away?

Being away from friends for such an extended length of time is definitely going to be difficult... that and music!

Have you ever undertaken something similar before, or is this all unique to you?

The last voyage I undertook, I was gone the better part of nine months and I remember really missing not being able to see my favourite bands play. I hadn't really anticipated that one, but I guess it's what my friends and I do together.

What has motivated you to do something like this?

The idea of the circumnavigation specifically has been with me for the better part of four years now. My biggest motivation that keeps me chugging along through all the challenges is the reward of meeting new people and experiencing new places. My circumnavigation is a bit different than the typical one, in that for me it's less about all the gear and mechanics of sailing as a sport and more about the life opportunities it'll afford me.

Has your childhood and early adult life been adventure-orientated?

I grew up in the suburbs, was educated at a great university and was really set up for a comfortably linear life. I guess it's just not something I've ever bought into. In fact I've kind of resented it. It's so easy to just fall in the normal cycle of how things are supposed to unfold – get a job, have a family, settle down. I guess that's a model that really seems to work for a lot of people but for me I know I’m ultimately a lot happier when I'm constantly learning, constantly growing, really pursuing things that are gong to stir me up inside.

Do you see yourself as a woman subverting what is tradtionally a man's game?

Well I guess I am subverting it a bit just by undertaking the trip at all. Women are definitely extremely outnumbered in the sport in general, and when you do see women involved in some sort of long-distance cruising they're generally just functioning in a supportive role to a husband or boyfriend. Admittedly, this is totally a sweeping generalization because there certainly are a ton of incredibly strong and interesting women out there going at it, but in my opinion the balance is still archaically askew.

You mentioned you wanted to really push yourself - is this mentally or physically?

Maybe more spiritually. Not to sound hokey, but I think the notion of breaking out of the norm, escaping the rat race and really carving out a life that I care deeply about is the essence of the trip for me. Sailing is physically challenging, true; sailing extreme distances is mentally challenging, also very true. But I mostly want to challenge myself to keep looking for the next hurdle, the next challenge, to keep inspiring myself to live a fulfilling life and to pass on that encouragement to others I meet. Isn't that what adventure's all about?

What do you hope to actually achieve - bar the circumnavigation itself?

Promoting sustainable travel and various alternative energy initiatives worldwide. The fact that I'll be travelling great distances by harnessing the wind is thought-provoking in itself, but additionally the boat will also be rigged with solar panels and a wind generator for auxiliary power.

What would you like to say to encourage people to help in funding this?

I WILL MAIL YOU A COCONUT!! - What could be better? Seriously though, I think it's really lucky for me that I'm going at this thing in 2009, where the boundaries and resources of the internet are so limitless. Instead of just reading about great adventures by flipping through a magazine you really have the opportunity to be more involved.

You can follow Emily’s digital adventure, from changing bilge pumps, to servicing the engine online at: www.bobbieroundstheworld.com. Emily successfully managed to "crowd-fund" the trip via an online platform called Kickstarter. Her goal was $8,000 which she finally met last week.