Lots of people are sky-diving all the time as well without problems, but that doesn't mean we should let parents strap their young children to parachutes and throw them out of an airplane. Regardless that she has no deadlines and can choose her times to sail, there's no doubt that her parents are placing an extraordinary risk on this young girls life, and I fail to see how anyone can support a parental decision to put their 13 year old childs life at such a risk. For three years I was a camp counselor for kids this age, and it's absurd if anyone thinks a 13 year old can fully understand or appreciate this journey, or for that matter truly desire it for themselves in lieu of parental pressure.