A professional raft guide set off on a journey on May 21 from Monterey, California. She reached the port of Honolulu, Hawaii, on the evening of July 3. The American covered more than 2400 miles, or about 3900 kilometers, in a roughly 6.4-meter-long boat named “Lily.”
K. Pfendler became the youngest and fastest woman to complete this route alone. Her result was even better than the previously recorded men’s record.
She cut the previous record by almost half
According to the International Ocean Rowing Association, K. Pfendler’s journey lasted just under 44 days.
Until then, the fastest woman to complete this route alone took 86 days. The men’s record was 52 days. So the American cut the previous women’s record by almost half and improved the men’s record by more than a week.
Upon reaching Honolulu, she admitted she had not yet fully realized what she had accomplished. “It was very surreal,” K. Pfendler said about the end of the journey.
The rower did not expect to reach Hawaii so quickly. According to her, the boat sped up significantly towards the end of the journey because a favorable ocean current helped her sail towards Honolulu.
Hundreds of people were already waiting for her at the port. K. Pfendler said it was hard at first to believe that the journey, after many weeks spent in open water, was really over.
Blistered hands and sleepless nights
Hundreds of thousands of people followed the American’s journey on social media. While sailing, she shared videos not only about the impressive ocean views but also about the daily hardships.
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The rower had to endure blistered hands, lack of sleep, strong winds, and not always favorable currents. In the open ocean, she made fresh water herself, prepared food, washed clothes, and tried to protect her skin from the scorching sun.
There were also unexpected, emotional moments during the journey. On K. Pfendler’s birthday, a US Coast Guard ship approached her boat. Its crew contacted the rower by radio and sang her a birthday song.
The American did not hide that there were moments in the ocean when she was truly scared. However, during calm periods, a completely different picture opened up – then she could feel the grandeur of the open ocean and realize how vast the surrounding space was.
Familiar with water since youth
K. Pfendler has worked as a professional raft guide since she was 18. For the past eight years, she has led trips on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.
Although this experience helped her prepare physically and mentally, the journey across the Pacific Ocean was a completely different challenge. There was no usual route with shores, no possibility to stop, or quickly get help.
Upon reaching Hawaii, K. Pfendler emphasized that improving records was not the only thing important to her. The American hopes her journey will encourage other women to pursue big goals, trust themselves more, and not be afraid to take risks.
She said she wants to see another woman one day who would dare to repeat her journey and achieve an even better result.
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