An American rower has completed a historic journey across the Pacific Ocean. Kelsey Pfendler rowed solo and unsupported from Monterey, California, to Honolulu, Hawaii. She finished the trip in 43 days and 18 hours, setting a new speed record.
Pfendler began her journey on May 21, 2026. She rowed a 21-foot boat named Lily. She traveled about 2,400 miles across the ocean, arriving in Hawaii on Friday night, July 3, 2026. With this journey, she became the first American woman and the youngest woman to row this route alone.
Her time of just under 44 days broke both the previous women's and men's speed records for the solo crossing. During the trip, Pfendler shared video diaries on social media. She documented her daily life at sea, including the physical and mental challenges of rowing alone and suffering from a lack of sleep.
Pfendler is an experienced boat operator. She has worked as a professional river guide in the Grand Canyon for about ten years. In 2024, she led a team of four women that successfully rowed from California to Hawaii, which is when she first fell in love with ocean rowing.
She also used her solo journey to raise money and awareness for the Whale Foundation. This organization helps the Grand Canyon river guiding community with mental, physical, and financial support services.