'Those final few hours were brutal': British duo complete extraordinary voyage in Australia after rowing across Pacific Ocean

A final 24-hour stretch. One more session navigating the pitiless slide. A final stretch with aching hands gripping unforgiving oars.

But after more than 8,000 nautical miles on the water – an extraordinary 165-day expedition across the Pacific that included close encounters with whales, failing beacons and cocoa supply emergencies – the sea had one more challenge.

Strong 20-knot breezes near Cairns continuously drove their compact craft, the Velocity, from the terra firma that was now frustratingly within reach.

Friends and family waited ashore as a planned midday arrival evolved into afternoon, subsequently 4pm, then dusk. Ultimately, at 6:42 PM, they came alongside the Cairns sailing club.

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

"The wind was pushing us off the channel, and we honestly thought we weren't going to make it. We found ourselves beyond the marked route and contemplated a final swim to land. To ultimately arrive, following years of planning, seems absolutely amazing."

The Monumental Voyage Commences

The English women – Rowe is 28 and Payne 25 – pushed off from Lima, Peru in early May (an initial attempt in April was stopped by equipment malfunction).

Across nearly half a year on water, they averaged 50 nautical miles a day, paddling together in daylight, individual night shifts while her crewmate slept just a few hours in a confined sleeping area.

Survival and Challenges

Kept alive with 400kg of mostly freeze-dried food, a water desalinator 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 across the vast Pacific, they've had no navigation equipment or beacon, making them essentially invisible, almost invisible to other vessels.

The duo faced nine-meter waves, traversed marine highways and endured raging storms that, at times, shut down every electronic device.

Record-Breaking Achievement

Still they maintained progress, stroke by relentless stroke, during intensely warm periods, below stellar evening heavens.

They achieved an unprecedented feat as the initial female duo to row across the South Pacific Ocean, non-stop and unsupported.

Furthermore they gathered more than £86,000 (Australian $179,000) benefiting the outdoor education charity.

Life Aboard

The duo made every effort to stay connected with society outside their tiny vessel.

During the 140s of their journey, 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 Insights

Payne, from a landlocked part of Yorkshire, was unacquainted with maritime life until she rowed the Atlantic solo during 2022 establishing a record.

She has now mastered another ocean. Yet there were periods, she conceded, when they feared they wouldn't make it. As early as day six, a path over the planet's biggest sea felt impossible.

"Our power was dropping, the freshwater system lines broke, however following multiple fixes, we managed a bypass and just limped along with reduced energy for the rest of the crossing. Every time something went wrong, we simply exchanged glances and went, 'typically it occurred!' Still we persevered."

"It was really great to have Jess as a teammate. What was great was that we worked hard together, we problem-solved together, and we perpetually pursued common aims," she stated.

Rowe originates from Hampshire. Before her Pacific triumph, she rowed the Atlantic, hiked England's South West Coast Path, scaled the Kenyan peak and pedaled across Spanish terrain. There might still be more.

"We shared such wonderful experiences, and we're eagerly anticipating future expeditions collectively once more. Another teammate wouldn't have worked."