SeaPeople Live ep. 8 | A World Record Trans-Pacific Row
Podcasts
Oct 27, 2025
Learn from the experts. Be part of the conversation.
After more than five months at sea, Miriam Payne and Jess Rowe just completed the ultimate test of human endurance. A continuous, unsupported row across the Pacific Ocean. It’s a milestone of resilience, determination, and sheer mental strength, setting a new benchmark for female explorers.
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Over 8,000 NM rowed in 160+ days!
Miriam and Jess began their voyage from Lima in April 2025, battling relentless heat that made it hard to rest. The nights were bright and peaceful, and they kept pushing on.
Then, just over a week in, the unexpected hit.
“It’s not quite the start to this expedition we had planned… eight days in and we suffered a broken rudder. It was totally delaminated and flopping around like a wet salmon.”
Miles from any coastline, their rudder broke, forcing them to deploy the para anchor to keep the boat from rolling.
“Safe to say it’s like a washing machine simulator.”
So what now?
What is SeaPeople Live and why does It matter?
SeaPeople Live is your gateway to the boating community. Each episode introduces you to experienced sailors, cruisers, and ocean adventurers who share tips, insights, and encouragement to guide your own journey. These live sessions combine practical advice, motivation, and connection with like-minded explorers.
The SeaPeople Connection
A month before heading to Peru for their big adventure, Mims and Jess downloaded SeaPeople and connected with Alec Hughes (@alechughesp)
While preparing for his own circumnavigation, Alec was quick to offer guidance and encouragement. Among countless usernames and live tracking routes, the three quickly formed a close friendship, supporting one another and sharing tips on repairs, weather, and life at sea.
Alec helped them with preparations before departure, and once Velocity set off, he followed their progress, witnessing the challenges with their rudder as they unfolded.
When news reached them that Velocity needed help, Alec and his partner KC changed course on their circumnavigation to help.
“Feeling very grateful to top ocean man @alechughesp who we met through this app and has become a huge part of our journey! Him and @kc_a_rodriguezf have taken time out of their round-the-world sail to come and rescue us, towing us and Velocity back to land for 8 days.”
Eight days under tow.
Eight days that proved how powerful a single SeaPeople connection can be.
Logged journey: A World Record Trans-Pacific Row Tracked in SeaPeople
165 days tracked on SeaPeople.
Their first logbook notes the searing heat, with temperatures above 40°C making daytime rest in the cabins impossible. After eight days under the para anchor, restarting from Peru, and finally embarking on the full passage to Cairns, the journey tested them with power failures, burst pipes, sleepless nights, confinement under the “para anchor,” and a log entry simply titled “Assaulted by Salt.”
“Quite simply, we’ve been assaulted by salt… We’ve been getting air time in the cabins, launched against the walls, and now have a fresh batch of salt sores.”
But they pushed through and brought us along for every mile.
“We are through The Great Barrier Reef and on the final approach to Cairns!”
Honest and unfiltered
From growing up landlocked, to rowing the Atlantic solo, to now setting a new record as the first female to complete a non-stop, unassisted trans-Pacific row.
This is a story of relentless dedication, deep passion, and the courage to push past every physical and mental limit.
Why you should join SeaPeople Live #8
🌊 What inspired them to row across the Pacific?
🌊 What’s it like to spend over 160 days at sea on a rowing boat?
🌊 What were the first thoughts when the rudder broke miles from shore?
🌊 What was the most challenging part of the journey?
Be part of the SeaPeople movement
SeaPeople isn’t just a logbook it’s where the global boating community comes together. What began as a friendship in the SeaPeople app became a helping hand and a rescue.
It’s hard to imagine a clearer example of what this community stands for real boaters, real connections, and real acts of seamanship when it matters most.
“We met through this app… and he’s become a huge part of our journey.”
Download the app to explore Mim's and Jess's voyages, join future events, and start building your own story at sea.
