Intrepid explorers and Oceanographic Magazine columnists, Seas the Day – an all-women ocean-rowing team – have passed the halfway point in their World Record attempt at an eight-thousand-mile, non-stop and unsupported row across the Pacific Ocean.

Miriam Payne and Jess Rowe have now passed the critical half-way point as they continue to raise vital funds for The Outward Bound Trust. 

The British duo started their second attempt at the world record on May 5th this year, after being forced to return when the rudder on their boat Velocity broke just 350 miles from the start point at Lima, in Peru. Now, with under 4,000 miles left to row, the milestone has revived team spirits.

Attempting the row unsupported means the pair have had to become savvy with DIY repair jobs en route, including fixing the non-rate water pipe that has burst on more than one occasion, while overcoming issues with power systems not charging fully as well as losing an oar to the ocean. 

In spite of the challenges, the two have persisted driven, it would seem, by the mission to raise crucial funds for The Outward Bound Trust, a charity dedicated to giving youth an experience of the beauty of the outdoors.

“The quote of the trip has been ‘get comfortable being uncomfortable’, but we are persevering as this row is about more than ourselves,” said 25-year-old, Miriam from East Yorkshire. “We are being driven through all the issues by keeping a positive mental attitude and by the hope our progress inspires young people to get outdoors and explore, push their own limits and realise their own potential.

“We are aiming to raise over £50,000 to help thousands of young people reach their potential with the support of the Outward Bound Trust.”

While for most Pacific rowers, completing the 2,800 miles to Hawaii is an endeavour enough, the Seas the Day team are determined to complete their six-month odyssey, covering the 8,000 miles from Peru to Australia. Based on their current rate of progress, they anticipate to reach land by this October.

Rowing up to 15 hours a day in two-hour shifts, the team has experienced a number of high and lows along the 4,000 miles covered so far. 

“The highs have been the amazing nature we have seen along the way, including dolphins, turtles, birds, and more,” said 28-year-old, Jess from Hampshire. “The most special of which was our encounter with a 19-metre sperm whale. These extraordinary moments in our natural world make every low pale in comparison.”

The pair are eating up to 5,000 calories a day to maintain their current rate of rowing. This is between the cleaning, checking and maintaining equipment, and trying to keep their water-maker going. Along the way, they are navigating shipping lanes, facing 30-foot waves, battling blisters, salt sores, sleep deprivation, and wildlife encounters.

Their boat Velocity is laden with safety and communications equipment as well as food for over 200 days at sea. Both Miriam and Jess are experienced rowers having met in 2022 in the Canary Islands when they were preparing for the World’s Toughest Row, in which they rowed 3,000 miles across the Atlantic.

Check out the Seas the Day Oceanographic Column here. And click here for more from the Oceanographic Newsroom.