Sports

British Women Make History Rowing Pacific Ocean Non-Stop

Published OCT 20 2025

Story

Above: Jess Rowe (L) and Miriam Payne approach Australia's Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea on Oct. 17, 2025. Image credit: Brian Cassey/AFP/Getty Images

The Facts

British women Jess Rowe, 28, from Hampshire, and Miriam Payne, 26, from East Yorkshire, have completed a non-stop Pacific Ocean crossing from Lima, Peru to Cairns, Australia, covering approximately 8,000-8,213 nautical miles (14,816-15,210 km) over more than 160 days.
Reuters
Daily Mail
Sky News
The duo became the first female team to row across the Pacific Ocean non-stop and unsupported, arriving at Cairns Yacht Club at 6:42 p.m. local time on Saturday in their nine-meter vessel named Velocity.
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The Times (UK)
Cairns Post
Their initial attempt in April was abandoned after rudder failure just 300 nautical miles into the journey, requiring them to relaunch from Lima on May 5 with assistance from friend Alex Hughes who towed them back to shore.
York Press
Daily Mail
BBC News
The women rowed in two-hour shifts around the clock, averaging 50 nautical miles daily while consuming approximately 3,500-5,000 calories per day, sustained by 400 kg of freeze-dried food and a water desalination system.
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Reuters
BBC Breakfast on X
During their voyage, they encountered equipment failures, including water-maker pipe bursts, electrical blackouts, and power issues, which they repaired using makeshift solutions.
The Outward Bound Trust
The Times (UK)
guardian
The expedition reportedly raised more than £95,000 ($127,450) for The Outward Bound Trust charity, which helps young people develop through outdoor adventures. The team is aiming to reach their revised target of £100,000.
Seastheday2022 on Instagram
York Press
The Telegraph

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The Spin

Narrative A

These women just proved that extraordinary human achievement comes from pure determination. Facing broken rudders, failed electronics and salt sores, they improvised solutions like using underwear as water filters and still completed their historic 8,000-mile Pacific crossing. Facing blistering heat, equipment failures and relentless waves, their unbreakable spirit has raised nearly £100,000 for youth empowerment, inspiring global audiences with raw resilience and gender-defying grit. This incredible feat shows what's possible when people refuse to give up on their dreams.

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The Outward Bound Trust

Narrative B

This Pacific crossing highlights the dangerous reality of inadequate preparation and reckless risk-taking disguised as achievement. Running a 'ghost ship' with no navigation equipment, relying on failed solar systems and jury-rigged repairs shows poor planning that endangered lives. Real accomplishment requires proper preparation, not just stubborn persistence through preventable disasters. While they fundraise modestly, this stunt glorifies danger over substance, endangering lives for fleeting fame in a warming ocean.