🔗 Share this article 'The last stretch proved absolutely grueling': British duo complete epic voyage in Australia after rowing across the vast Pacific One more day. One more day up and down merciless swells. One more day of blistered hands holding onto unyielding oars. Yet after traversing 8,000+ sea miles on the water – an epic five-and-a-half-month journey through Pacific waters that included near brushes with cetaceans, failing beacons and cocoa supply emergencies – the sea had one more challenge. Powerful 20-knot gusts near Cairns continuously drove their small vessel, the Velocity, off course from land that was now frustratingly within reach. Loved ones gathered on land as a scheduled lunchtime finish shifted to 2pm, then 4pm, then twilight hours. Ultimately, at 6:42 PM, they reached Cairns Yacht Club. "Those final few hours were brutal," Rowe stated, at last on firm earth. "Gusts were driving us from the passage, and we truly doubted we would succeed. We ended up outside the channel and thought we might have to swim to shore. To finally be here, after talking about it for so long, seems absolutely amazing." The Extraordinary Expedition Starts The English women – Rowe is 28 and Payne 25 – set out from Peruvian shores in early May (a first try in April was derailed by a rudder failure). During 165 ocean days, they covered approximately 50 sea miles each day, paddling together in daylight, single rower overnight while her teammate dozed minimal sleep in a confined sleeping area. Survival and Challenges Kept alive with 400kg of mostly freeze-dried food, a seawater purification system and an integrated greens production unit, the pair have relied on an inconsistent solar power setup for limited energy demands. For much of their journey over the enormous Pacific, they've had no navigation equipment or beacon, making them essentially invisible, nearly undetectable to passing ships. The pair have borne 9-metre waves, navigated shipping lanes and endured raging storms that, at times, shut down every electronic device. Historic Accomplishment Still they maintained progress, one stroke after another, across blazing hot days, under star-filled night skies. They achieved an unprecedented feat as the pioneering women's team to paddle over the South Pacific, non-stop and unsupported. And they have raised in excess of £86k (Australian $179,000) supporting Outward Bound. Existence Onboard The women attempted to maintain communication with civilization beyond their small boat. During the 140s of their journey, they announced a "sweet treat shortage" – down to their last two bars with over 1,000 miles remaining – but granted themselves the pleasure of breaking one open to mark the English squad's winning the Rugby World Cup. Personal Reflections Payne, hailing from inland Yorkshire, lacked ocean experience until she rowed the Atlantic solo in 2022 in a record time. She has now mastered another ocean. However there were instances, she admitted, when failure seemed possible. Beginning on the sixth day, a way across the world's largest ocean appeared insurmountable. "Our electrical systems were diminishing, the desalination tubes ruptured, however following multiple fixes, we accomplished a workaround and barely maintained progress with reduced energy throughout the remaining journey. Whenever issues arose, we merely made eye contact and went, 'of course it has!' But we kept going." "Jess made an exceptional crewmate. Our mutual dedication stood out, we problem-solved together, and we consistently shared identical objectives," she said. Rowe originates from Hampshire. Before her Pacific triumph, she rowed the Atlantic, trekked England's coastal trail, scaled the Kenyan peak and pedaled across Spanish terrain. Additional challenges probably remain. "Our collaboration proved incredibly rewarding, and we're already excited to plan new adventures together as well. No other partner would have sufficed."