The 25th of May 2021 will see the start of the Great Pacific Ocean Race, a gruelling rowing race which begins in San Francisco and ends in Hawaii. Taking to their row boats, competitors will begin the challenge under the Golden Gate Bridge and make their way across the Pacific Ocean. Arriving at the Waikiki Yacht Club in Hawaii, the rowers will have covered an expanse of 2,700 miles!
Hoping to overcome this physically and mentally demanding race are Purusha Gordon, Bella Collins, Mary Sutherland and Lily Lower. This daring team are called the Ocean Sheroes, and they are gearing up to tackle the Pacific Ocean and hopefully break a world record along the way. Set in 2014, the current record for a female-four completing this course is 50 days, 8 hours and 14 minutes.
Known as one of the toughest endurance races on earth, only 60 people (22 teams) have ever completed the row between mainland USA and Hawaii. To put this in perspective, to date, over 4000 people have climbed Mount Everest, 1604 have wintered at the South Pole and 566 people have been to space.
As you can imagine this is not something that you embark on without huge preparation and training. Time has been spent both in the gym and out on the water (and in the pool per below!) to ensure all are in top physical and mental condition and ready for whatever the Pacific may throw at them in this unhospitable environment.
Both Mary and Lily are no stranger to Solent Events having worked for us as professional sailors for racing and hospitality sailing charters so we’ll be following their progress sending them positive energy everyday to keep rowing fast! We have seen their enthusiasm, resolve and problem solving capabilities first hand and know they can conquer this challenge!
The four will be raising money for the fantastic Seabin Foundation, the initiative which strives to collect ocean waste and the plastics which currently plague our seas. The ‘Seabins,’ are rubbish bins for the ocean and can intercept floating debris and micro plastics in the water. The Ocean Sheroes hope to raise £60,000 for this project, a cause we very much approve of! To make a donation for this worthy cause please click here.
Sponsorship is obviously key when putting together a campaign of this nature and opportunities still exist for collaborations with this high profile project. Get in touch with the team through their website or via Solent Events should you want further information.
If you are interested in following their journey, make sure to follow the Ocean Sheroes on Instagram and Facebook. This race will surely be one to watch!
Article by – Darcy Hedley
