Rowing to Hawaii

Rowing from the US mainland to Hawaii is one of the longest ocean rowing routes. This is an overview, not a manual: anyone planning a crossing needs proper training, safety courses and expert advice.

The route

One current organised event is World’s Toughest Row – Pacific, which runs from Monterey, California, to Hanalei on Kaua’i. An earlier event, the Great Pacific Race, set off from Monterey for Waikiki in 2014. Crews head out from the California coast, work through variable winds and currents, and aim for the Hawaiian islands. The organiser gives the World’s Toughest Row route as 2,800 miles, which is about 4,500 kilometres. The 2014 Great Pacific Race course to Honolulu was given as about 2,400 miles. Crews generally steer south-west first to pick up favourable winds and currents, because heading straight for the finish is not always fastest or safest.

Ocean rowing basics

Boats are purpose-built: self-righting, with watertight cabins, sliding seats, a water-maker and solar power. Crews row in shifts, day and night, and eat, sleep and navigate in the gaps. A pair or four typically rows in rotations of two hours on and two hours off. Solo rowers sleep in short blocks and use sea anchors in rough weather. Compare with the Atlantic route in rowing across the Atlantic.

Preparation

Fitness. You will need strong aerobic endurance, a resilient back and hands, and the ability to row tired. Long erg pieces and sea-going sessions both help. See how to row a marathon and endurance workouts. Cross-training with cycling, swimming and strength work adds variety and robustness.

Skills. Race organisers set strict rules and mandatory training courses, so get the current list from them early. Expect to cover skills such as sea survival, first aid, VHF radio and navigation.

Equipment. GPS, satellite communications, an emergency beacon, a life raft and safety harnesses are standard. An AIS transponder lets other vessels see you. Plan spares and repairs: you cannot pop to a shop mid-ocean.

Provisions. Freeze-dried food, snacks and water-making capacity for the whole crossing, with a margin. Crews plan calories carefully because they burn a great deal and can lose weight quickly.

Weather and conditions

Crews watch forecasts and weather routing, and plan for storms. Seasickness, sun exposure and salt sores are frequent hardships. Isolation and sleep deprivation test crews as much as the physical work does. Capsizes are possible, which is why boats are designed to self-right and crews clip on when conditions are rough.

Marine life and waste

Dolphins, birds, fish and sometimes whales are common sights. Crews also report seeing floating plastic and debris. Many take care to minimise their own waste and follow the event’s environmental rules. Taking rubbish home, avoiding single-use plastics and not disturbing wildlife are standard practice.

Records and teams

Records on this route change as new crossings are completed, so check current sources such as the organiser’s leaderboards and the Ocean Rowing Society.

Finishing and recovery

Crews finish exhausted, often thinner and with salt sores, tender hands and stiff backs. Plan medical checks, rest, food and a proper shower before anything else. Many rowers say the mental comedown after weeks of routine takes as long to settle as the physical recovery, so arrange support for the days after landing.

Could you do it?

Most people start small: a rowing club, then a long-distance event, then a coastal or short sea row, before considering an ocean. If you want a big target on dry land first, our list of intense indoor rowing challenges is a good place to look. Entry fees, boat costs and training add up to a major commitment in money and time. For more on long-distance rowing, see the training hub and different bodies of water to row on.