Last month saw the start of the Great Pacific Race, a gruelling contest which sees its competitors’ row 2700 miles from San Francisco to Hawaii. Primarily due to the treacherous conditions of the Pacific Ocean, rowing this route is deemed to be one of the toughest tests of endurance on the planet. Taking part this year are the Ocean Sheroes, a team hoping to beat the current world record for fastest female four. In 2014, the World Record was set: 50 days, 8 hours and 14 minutes. As it stands, the Ocean Sheroes have surpassed the halfway mark to Hawaii and are rowing at a world record pace!
Currently in the fifth week of their journey, the Ocean Sheroes have been pushing against strong currents and extreme weather conditions. With rowing shifts of two hours on and two hours off, the Sheroes are displaying incredible resilience as they continue, no matter how battered and bruised they are. Sea sickness, wet clothing, blistered hands and unpredictable wildlife (team-mate Bella was hit by a flying fish!), this race is certainly a marathon and not a sprint.
The Ocean Sheroes’ motto is Positivity, People, Planet. Preservation of the planet is exactly why the team are raising money for the incredible Seabin Project, an initiative which aims to clean up our oceans. Even in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the Sheroes have reported spotting “a floating buoy, fishing nets, plastic bottles and packaging.” Help support the Ocean Sheroes to install 6 new Seabins by donating to their Go Fund Me. You can also follow their journey on Instagram @oceansheroes which features daily updates and footage from the boat.
We at Solent Events have been inspired by the Ocean Sheroes and are taking on their Flexi-Hex 270 Challenge. Although not quite the 2700 miles of the Great Pacific Race, we are hoping to complete our own 270-mile goal by whatever means possible… This means hiking, cycling, running or maybe even sailing!
