Miriam Payne and Jess Rowe, who are two-thirds of the way through an 8,000-mile row across the Pacific from Peru to Australia, are experiencing the physical and mental challenges and setbacks that come with extreme endurance events. They have faced equipment failures, blisters, salt sores, and close encounters with marlins, but despite these challenges, they are enjoying the experience. The pair have already been rowing for over 100 days, with about 60 left to go, and they are taking in their surroundings and the sights that they are seeing in the Pacific. The rowers have to take on 5,000 calories a day and are looking forward to their well-deserved holiday after the trip. They also have a lack of access to fresh fruit and vegetables and have had to use a pair of Calvin Klein underpants to replace a lost filter on a fresh water maker.
Despite these setbacks, they are still getting along nicely and are raising money for the charity Outward Bound Trust. The pair also take a break every four days to clean the hull of their boat and do a wash with fresh water and clean clothes, a real treat. They have spotted a sperm whale, shark fins, and a masked booby seabird from the Galápagos Islands, as well as lots of phosphorescence in the wake. They have no idea of current world events and are enjoying a digital detox.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/aug/24/we-keep-plodding-along-uk-pair-two-thirds-of-the-way-through-8000-mile-charity-row
