'Those final few hours were brutal': British duo finish extraordinary journey in Down Under after paddling across the vast Pacific
A final 24-hour stretch. One more day up and down merciless swells. A final stretch with aching hands gripping unforgiving oars.
But after more than 8,000 nautical miles at sea – an extraordinary 165-day expedition over the Pacific Ocean that included intimate meetings with marine giants, defective signaling devices and chocolate shortages – the ocean presented a final test.
Strong 20-knot breezes off Cairns kept pushing their tiny rowboat, the Velocity, away from solid ground that was now achingly close.
Loved ones gathered on land as an expected noon touchdown became 2pm, subsequently 4pm, then twilight hours. Ultimately, at 6:42 PM, they came alongside the Cairns marina.
"Those last hours tested every fiber," Rowe expressed, finally standing on land.
"Breezes were forcing us off course, and we honestly thought we weren't going to make it. We ended up outside the channel and considered swimming the remaining distance. To ultimately arrive, after talking about it for so long, seems absolutely amazing."
The Epic Journey Begins
The UK duo – Rowe is 28 and Payne 25 – departed from Lima, Peru on May fifth (an initial attempt in April was halted by steering issues).
During 165 ocean days, they covered approximately 50 sea miles each day, rowing in tandem during the day, single rower overnight while her partner rested minimal sleep in a confined sleeping area.
Endurance and Obstacles
Sustained by 400 kilograms of dehydrated meals, a seawater purification system and a vessel-based sprout cultivation system, the pair have relied on an inconsistent solar power setup for a fraction of the power they've needed.
For much of their journey through the expansive ocean, they lacked directional instruments or location transmitters, turning them into a "ghost ship", nearly undetectable to passing ships.
The duo faced nine-meter waves, navigated shipping lanes and survived violent tempests that, periodically, disabled all electrical systems.
Record-Breaking Achievement
And they've kept rowing, each pull following the last, through scorching daylight hours, under star-filled night skies.
They have set a new record as the pioneering women's team to row across the South Pacific Ocean, without breaks or external assistance.
And they have raised more than £86,000 (A$179,000) for the Outward Bound Trust.
Existence Onboard
The women attempted to keep in contact with the world beyond their small boat.
Around day one-forty, they declared a "cocoa crisis" – diminished to merely two remaining pieces with over 1,000 miles remaining – but allowed themselves the indulgence of opening one bar to honor England's rugby team winning the Rugby World Cup.
Personal Reflections
Payne, hailing from inland Yorkshire, was unacquainted with maritime life prior to her independent Atlantic journey in 2022 achieving record pace.
She has now mastered another ocean. But there were moments, she admitted, when they feared they wouldn't make it. Starting within the first week, a way across the world's largest ocean seemed unachievable.
"Our power was dropping, the freshwater system lines broke, however following multiple fixes, we accomplished a workaround and barely maintained progress with reduced energy for the rest of the crossing. Every time something went wrong, we merely made eye contact and went, 'of course it has!' Still we persevered."
"Having Jess as a partner proved invaluable. What was great was that we worked hard together, we addressed challenges collectively, and we were always working towards the same goals," she remarked.
Rowe hails from Hampshire. Preceding her ocean conquest, she rowed the Atlantic, hiked England's South West Coast Path, ascended Mount Kenya and pedaled across Spanish terrain. Additional challenges probably remain.
"Our collaboration proved incredibly rewarding, and we're eagerly anticipating future expeditions as a team again. No other partner would have sufficed."
