Kelsey Pfendler, a Grand Canyon river rafting guide, has completed a record-breaking solo row from California to Hawaii, becoming the first American woman to row across the mid-Pacific alone. She arrived in Honolulu harbor on Friday night aboard her 21-foot rowboat, Lily, after nearly a month and a half at sea, greeted by hundreds of supporters.
Record-Breaking Journey Details
Pfendler launched from Monterey, California, in May, aiming to become the first American woman, youngest woman, and fastest woman to complete the more than 2,400-mile journey solo, according to her website. She appears to have broken both the previous women's speed record and the men's speed record, based on records from the Ocean Rowing Society International, which adjudicates ocean-rowing achievements for Guinness World Records. The organization had not immediately responded to requests for comment from The Associated Press about Pfendler's finish.
The Ocean Rowing Society's online records, as of Saturday morning, showed Pfendler finished in just under 44 days. This is faster than the previous comparable female record holder's 86 days and the male record holder's 52 days, as recorded by both the society and Guinness World Records.
Social Media and Challenges
Hundreds of thousands followed Pfendler's journey on social media, where she shared videos detailing the highs, lows, and quirks of her trek. She documented challenges including blistered hands, difficulty sleeping amid stiff winds, and the mental and physical struggle of coping with unfavorable currents and wind. She also explained how she cooked, protected her skin from the sun, washed her clothes, and made fresh water. In some videos, her voice cracked with emotion; in others, she joked about her forehead hat tan line and the importance of her caffeine pills.
Background and Reflections
According to her website, Pfendler has been a professional raft guide since age 18 and spent the last eight years leading trips along the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. “I just love boats in the middle of nowhere,” she said in one video. Local news outlets reported she was expected to address the media later. An emailed interview request to her team was not immediately returned.
In a recent video as she neared Oahu, Pfendler reflected on her accomplishment. “If any part of this made at least one person feel a little bit more powerful in their own skin, I couldn’t ask for anything else and I’m happy,” she said. “Think about trying to find your own big, hard, scary thing. You might not think that you are strong enough to finish it right now, but you’re definitely strong enough to start it, and you’ll find everything else along the way. I’m going to go finish my big, hard scary thing.”
