A few weeks ago I profiled our local single-handed skipper, Brad Van Liew, who just last week announced that he had found a boat in which he'll compete in the upcoming Velux sponsored around the world race. Racing a sailboat single-handed around the globe is something few sailors would undertake since it requires huge doses of courage, perseverance, stamina and most importantly, experience.

And that's why I'm very troubled with a recent trend occurring in the sailing world, that being very young children with limited sailing experience taking to the high seas to break records.

It started with Southern Californian Zac Sunderland when, in July 2009 at age 17, he became the youngest person to solo circumnavigate the globe.

Then English teenager Mike Perham broke Zac's record a month later, two months younger than Zac.

Next, 16-year old Australian Jessica Watson began her quest to beat Mike's record three months ago, and is now half-way around the world, ten days ahead of schedule.

And just last week, Zac's younger sister, Abby Sunderland, set sail from the Del Ray Yacht Club in a 40-foot sailboat, named Wild Eyes.

Abby is five months younger than Jessica and she (Abby) started single-handed sailing when she was 13 years old, thus she's had less than 4 years of experience.

I'm not a parent but if I was, like many of you I'm sure,  I'd be nervous handing over the boat keys to my 16-year old to make run around the protected waters Charleston Harbor.

The military won't take you until you're at least 18 and even then, you're under the constant supervision of highly trained professionals.

So the thought of a parent providing the means for a child to undertake such a potentially dangerous adventure strikes me as exponentially irresponsible.

But like I said, I'm not a parent, so is my opinion valid?

I sat thinking about it and soon realized I had at my disposal the perfect person to ask the question, 'Are the parents wrong to allow, much less encourage and finance this?'

I picked up the phone and called Meg Van Liew, Brad's wife and the mother of their young son and daughter.

'Sailing solo is all about experience,' she replied. I've heard enough of my husband's stories to know that. Currently, most solo sailors are in the 45-55 year old range and I think there's a reason for that... experience.'

But I pressed her for a more specific answer.

'No, I think it's too young,' she offered.

I asked further, 'Would you ever let your kids do it?'

After a pause she replied, 'Knowing what I know from my husband's experiences.... no, I wouldn't. I don't know at exactly what age or experience level I would but no, not at 16.'

Then I asked her, where will it end, how young can it go? Is a 15 year old next? 14? Her reply gave me a chill. 'You know, I was speaking with a journalist friend about it recently and we agreed, it will likely keep getting younger and younger... until someone gets killed.'

So I'd be very interested to know what you other parents think. At what age would you let your children set off to circle the globe to challenge the unforgiving sea?

Please email your comments L.J. Wallace at twl@moultrienews.com