Suzanne Heywood's Sailing: A Childhood at Sea

What would it be like to spend your childhood sailing around the world? How might such an unconventional upbringing shape your life?

In her memoir Wavewalker, Suzanne Heywood recounts her extraordinary childhood adventures at sea. Suzanne Heywood's sailing experiences aboard the family's ship Wavewalker offer a unique glimpse into a life filled with both wonder and challenges.

Join us as we explore the thrilling, sometimes perilous, and always transformative journey of Suzanne Heywood's early years on the high seas.

A Childhood at Sea: Suzanne Heywood's Wavewalker Adventures

Life Aboard the Wavewalker

Imagine spending your childhood sailing around the world on a ship called Wavewalker. That's exactly what Suzanne Heywood experienced during her sailing adventures, which shaped her early development in ways both thrilling and challenging. The daily rhythms of life at sea became second nature to Suzanne Heywood and her family as they sailed across vast oceans. They learned to adapt to the ship's tilt, finding comfort in the hum of the vessel and the gentle swells caressing its bow.

But life aboard Wavewalker wasn't just about sailing. It was a constant adventure filled with awe-inspiring encounters with nature and wildlife. Suzanne vividly remembers her first day at sea, battling motion sickness while marveling at flying fish gliding through the air. As they approached new shores, the family would carefully watch for coral structures and listen for the welcoming calls of seagulls.

Challenges of an Unconventional Childhood

While sailing the world sounds like a dream come true, it came with its fair share of difficulties. Suzanne's education and social development faced significant disruptions. The family's unconventional educational arrangements raised concerns with school officials, and Suzanne often found herself balancing academic work with limited resources and the need to stay vigilant at sea.

The family's relationships, particularly with Suzanne's mother, were strained by the unique lifestyle. The pressures of life at sea, health complications, and conflicts among family members all took their toll. And let's not forget the constant dangers and uncertainties of ocean travel. From navigating treacherous waters to close encounters with sharks, the Heywood family faced peril at every turn.

Developing Self-Reliance and Practical Skills

Despite the challenges, Suzanne's unconventional upbringing helped her develop an impressive set of skills at a young age. She learned the ins and outs of sailing, navigation, and boat maintenance. From hoisting sails to steering the ship, Suzanne became an integral part of the Wavewalker's crew.

But her skills went beyond just sailing. Suzanne developed a keen sense of resourcefulness and adaptability. She learned to negotiate for food and shelter, offering her labor as payment when necessary. Her technical skills grew as she helped assess navigational tools and took on responsibilities like managing shift rotations.

Emotional Impact of a Nomadic Lifestyle

While Suzanne gained practical skills, the emotional toll of her unsettled upbringing was significant. Forming lasting friendships proved difficult when you're constantly on the move. Suzanne often found herself longing for connections, like her brief friendship with Sarah or her desire to join in Sydney's festivities with Heath.

This nomadic lifestyle also led to feelings of displacement and not belonging. Suzanne struggled to find a place where she felt truly at home, often feeling out of place in unfamiliar settings. Building self-confidence and a solid sense of identity became a challenge, as she grappled with feeling disconnected from her peers and the more traditional lifestyles they led.

Striving for Independence

As Suzanne grew older, she began to yearn for independence from her parents' control and expectations. While she had some input in family decisions, she found it difficult to significantly shape the family's future. This led to a determination to forge her own path, particularly when it came to pursuing higher education.

Suzanne's desire to break free culminated in her decision to attend Oxford University. This transition from a life of wandering to committed scholarly pursuits marked a significant turning point in her journey towards independence.

Reconciling With an Unconventional Past

As Suzanne sought to establish her own identity, she also grappled with her unconventional history. She delved into her family's heritage and the origins of Wavewalker, seeking understanding and peace from a childhood marked by extraordinary experiences.

This process of reconciliation wasn't easy. Suzanne often found herself at odds with her parents' visions for her life, which revolved around conquering maritime challenges rather than pursuing traditional academic paths. She had to balance the tangible difficulties of a wandering lifestyle with her desire for conventional schooling and higher education.

A Complex Relationship With Parents

Suzanne's relationship with her parents, particularly her mother, was complex and often strained. She perceived a lack of maternal care and understanding, with her mother often dismissing her educational concerns in favor of chores and family duties. This led to feelings of resentment, especially when her mother's support for the family's seafaring adventures came at the cost of Suzanne's own educational and emotional growth.

In contrast, Suzanne's relationship with her father was marked by a mix of admiration and concern. She respected his adventurous spirit but worried about his sometimes reckless decisions. Suzanne often found herself seeking her father's approval and support, especially when it came to her education.

Charting Her Own Course

Despite the challenges, Suzanne's experiences aboard Wavewalker ultimately shaped her into a resilient and determined individual. Her acceptance into Oxford University marked a significant transition, offering a future filled with promise yet accompanied by new challenges.

Suzanne Heywood's childhood sailing adventures were far from ordinary. They were filled with wonder, danger, and personal growth. While the journey wasn't always smooth sailing, it equipped her with unique skills and perspectives that would shape her future in ways she could never have imagined from the deck of Wavewalker.