🔗 Share this article 'The last stretch proved absolutely grueling': UK pair finish extraordinary voyage in Down Under after paddling across Pacific Ocean One more day. One more day up and down the pitiless slide. A final stretch with aching hands clutching relentless paddles. But after more than 8,000 nautical miles at sea – a monumental half-year voyage across the Pacific that included close encounters with whales, defective signaling devices and chocolate shortages – the waters delivered a last obstacle. A gusting 20-knot wind approaching Cairns continuously drove their small vessel, their rowing boat Velocity, off course from land that was now achingly close. Loved ones gathered on land as a planned midday arrival evolved into afternoon, then 4pm, then early evening. At last, at eighteen forty-two, they came alongside the Cairns marina. "Those last hours tested every fiber," Rowe expressed, at last on firm earth. "The wind was pushing us off the channel, and we truly doubted we would succeed. We drifted outside the navigational path and thought we might have to swim to shore. To ultimately arrive, following years of planning, proves truly extraordinary." The Extraordinary Expedition Starts The British pair – aged 28 and 25 respectively – departed from Lima, Peru on May fifth (a first try in April was halted by steering issues). Across nearly half a year on water, they averaged 50 nautical miles a day, paddling together in daylight, individual night shifts while her partner rested a bare handful of hours in a tight compartment. Perseverance and Difficulties Nourished by 400kg of preserved provisions, a saltwater conversion device and an onboard growing unit for micro-greens, the duo depended upon a less-than-reliable solar system for limited energy demands. Throughout the majority of their expedition through the expansive ocean, they lacked directional instruments or signaling devices, turning them into a "ghost ship", almost invisible to other vessels. The pair have borne 9-metre waves, navigated shipping lanes and endured raging storms that, periodically, shut down every electronic device. Record-Breaking Achievement Still they maintained progress, stroke by relentless stroke, across blazing hot days, under star-filled night skies. They have set a new record as the first all-female pair to row across the South Pacific Ocean, continuously and independently. Additionally they collected in excess of £86k (179,000 Australian dollars) supporting Outward Bound. Life Aboard The pair did their best to keep in contact with the world beyond their small boat. On "day 140-something", they reported a "chocolate emergency" – down to their last two bars with over 1,000 miles remaining – but permitted themselves the luxury of opening one bar to honor England's rugby team victory in the World Cup. Personal Reflections Payne, originating from Yorkshire's non-coastal region, was unacquainted with maritime life until she rowed the Atlantic solo in 2022 achieving record pace. She now has a second ocean conquered. But there were moments, she conceded, when failure seemed possible. As early as day six, a route across the globe's vastest waters seemed unachievable. "Our power was dropping, the freshwater system lines broke, yet after numerous mends, we achieved an alternative solution and barely maintained progress with little power during the final expedition phase. Each time problems occurred, we simply exchanged glances and went, 'of course it has!' But we kept going." "Jess made an exceptional crewmate. What was great was that we worked hard together, we problem-solved together, and we consistently shared identical objectives," she said. Rowe originates from Hampshire. Prior to her Pacific success, she rowed the Atlantic, walked the southwestern English coastline, climbed Mount Kenya and pedaled across Spanish terrain. Additional challenges probably remain. "Our collaboration proved incredibly rewarding, and we're enthusiastically preparing additional journeys as a team again. I wouldn't have done it with anybody else."