'Those final few hours were brutal': UK pair complete extraordinary journey in Australia after paddling across the vast Pacific

One more day. One more day up and down the unforgiving ocean. A final stretch with aching hands holding onto unyielding oars.

However following over 15,000 kilometers at sea – an extraordinary 165-day expedition through Pacific waters that included close encounters with whales, failing beacons and chocolate shortages – the ocean presented a final test.

Powerful 20-knot gusts off Cairns repeatedly forced their small vessel, their boat Velocity, off course from land that was now achingly close.

Loved ones gathered on land as an expected noon touchdown shifted to 2pm, subsequently 4pm, then early evening. Ultimately, at 6:42 PM, they came alongside Cairns Yacht Club.

"Those last hours tested every fiber," Rowe said, at last on firm earth.

"Breezes were forcing us off course, and we genuinely believed we might fail. We found ourselves beyond the marked route and contemplated a final swim to land. To ultimately arrive, after extensive preparation, proves truly extraordinary."

The Epic Journey Begins

The English women – aged 28 and 25 respectively – pushed off from Lima, Peru on May fifth (a first try in April was derailed by a rudder failure).

Across nearly half a year on water, they maintained 50 nautical miles daily, paddling together in daylight, individual night shifts while her crewmate slept a bare handful of hours in a confined sleeping area.

Survival and Challenges

Kept alive with 400kg of mostly freeze-dried food, a water desalinator and an onboard growing unit for micro-greens, the women counted on an unpredictable photovoltaic arrangement for only partial electrical requirements.

During most of their voyage across the vast Pacific, they operated without navigation tools or beacon, turning them into a "ghost ship", almost invisible to other vessels.

The duo faced nine-meter waves, traversed marine highways and survived violent tempests that, on occasion, shut down every electronic device.

Groundbreaking Success

Still they maintained progress, each pull following the last, across blazing hot days, beneath celestial nightscapes.

They achieved an unprecedented feat as the first all-female pair to paddle over the South Pacific, continuously and independently.

Additionally they collected over eighty-six thousand pounds (Australian $179,000) for the Outward Bound Trust.

Life Aboard

The pair did their best to maintain communication with civilization outside their tiny vessel.

On "day 140-something", they announced a "sweet treat shortage" – reduced to their final two portions with another 1,600 kilometers ahead – but granted themselves the pleasure of unwrapping a portion to celebrate England's Red Roses triumph in global rugby competition.

Personal Reflections

Payne, originating from Yorkshire's non-coastal region, was unacquainted with maritime life prior to her independent Atlantic journey in 2022 achieving record pace.

She has now mastered another ocean. However there were instances, she acknowledged, when failure seemed possible. Beginning on the sixth day, a path over the planet's biggest sea appeared insurmountable.

"Our power was dropping, the water-maker pipes burst, but after nine repairs, we accomplished a workaround and barely maintained progress with minimal electricity throughout the remaining journey. Whenever issues arose, we merely made eye contact and went, 'typically it occurred!' Still we persevered."

"Having Jess as a partner proved invaluable. Our mutual dedication stood out, we resolved issues as a team, and we consistently shared identical objectives," she said.

Rowe hails from Hampshire. Prior to her Pacific success, she paddled the Atlantic, trekked England's coastal trail, ascended Mount Kenya and cycled across Spain. Further adventures likely await.

"Our collaboration proved incredibly rewarding, and we're eagerly anticipating future expeditions as a team again. No other partner would have sufficed."