Some might regard single-handed sailors as a different breed...a very strange variety.

How else can one figure a person who willingly chooses to place his or her own life in seeming peril, taking on Mother Nature's tumultuous ocean passageways armed with little more than a 35-foot carved chunk of wood.

Welcome to the world of Bermuda's single-handed sailing wonder Alan Paris.

On the outside the five foot, nine inch 31-year-old appears normal, but inside there burns an insatiable desire for adventure, a craving satisfied by each successful crossing.

For Paris this pursuit of adventure started almost at birth when as an only child he was forced to create excitement for himself much of the time.

The search continued into adulthood, with sailing always there, but it was not until 1989 when he caught the long distance bug following a crude passage from Florida to Bermuda with five colleagues.

Asked what makes him want to risk life and limb for the sake of a new conquest, Paris hesitated for a second before saying: "I guess it's just a personal challenge. I mean it is a challenging thing to do, to go from one place to another and arrive there in one piece, to enjoy it and arrive there happy and healthy.

"But it's also very peaceful, where you don't have to worry about any of the hustle and bustle of Hamilton in the afternoon. There are no five o'clock rush hours in the middle of the ocean.

"I would consider myself an average sailor, very comfortable on my own offshore...confidence is part of the game, overconfidence is dangerous, but some level of confidence is required.'' It came as no surprise that Paris ventured into the realm of sailing, having been born in New Zealand, a veritable mecca for the sport producing the likes of living legends Chris Dickson and Russell Coutts, current holder of the prized America's Cup.

Paris' mother, Jill Brackstone, though not deeply involved herself, always encouraged her son to take part in water and outside activities and his heart quickly settled on the idea of traversing the waterways aboard a linen driven vehicle.

But to travel from country to country alone with the potential to be swept away by a freak storm or to strike a submerged object and sink? What sane person does that? "Yes, some might think we're all crazy,'' said Paris, showing no outward signs of a psychological disorder. "But what we have is a very unique group of people. If you get 30 single-handed sailors in a room you've got a very interesting cast of characters.

"Most of them are fairly confident, very few are outspoken, because by nature there's nobody out there to show off to. Also we're very mechanically minded, generally mentally sound although there are a few crazy people out there.'' Thus far Paris had logged some 7,700 miles aboard his treasured sloop Learning to Fly , which have entailed some 48 nights offshore and included brushes with a submarine, 20-foot seas in the Gulf Stream as well as a terrifying meeting with a rogue wave that hurtled Paris and his accompanying crew across the cockpit and filled the boat.

In June Paris placed second on corrected time during the first leg of the Bermuda One two race from Newport to Bermuda, was seventh in the double-handed return leg partnered by John Wilcox-Black and ended first overall in Class II for elapsed and corrected time.

Next up stands the Europe One Star Singlehanded Trans Atlantic, a 3,000 mile race which begins on June 16, 1996 and has already attracted 50 competitors in seven classes -- Paris will compete in the 30-35 foot class.

To aid in the fulfilment of his dreams Paris saved intensely for the past three years while working in the hotel industry and has taken the year off to simply sail.

However, the Bermudian is still in need of financial assistance and is currently seeking sponsors for the Europe One Star event, where his first goal is to finish and the second to do well.

"For this race you do have to worry about things like icebergs and fog, because when we get close to Nova Scotia the Labrador Current comes down and it brings icebergs and so on and can bring some pretty rotten weather,'' explained Paris, his eyes widening in anticipation of such a moment.

"It is a reality that the boat could sink, there's no doubt about it, but that's a matter of chance. You can't plan for everything. There's always the unexpected and `Yes' you can hit a container or iceberg, so sure it's possible (to sink), but that's why you have a life raft and that's why you have the beacon to radiate where you are and tell people that it is in fact you that has gone down.

"I'd hate to ever have to use that, because that means someone has to come out and pick me up. You generally don't sink in good weather, you usually sink in bad weather and I don't want anyone have to come out and get me.'' However, for now Paris bides his time at the Bermuda Biological Station, waiting for the end of the hurricane season so that he can again be one with the sea.

ALAN PARIS -- "People might think we're crazy.''