World📡 New York TimesBy Evan GorelickJul 6, 2026👁 5 views

First American Woman Rows Solo From California to Hawaii

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First American Woman Rows Solo From California to Hawaii

Kelsey Pfendler, a Grand Canyon river-rafting guide, completed the 2,300-mile journey in just under 44 days, according to data from the Ocean Rowing Society International.

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Kelsey Pfendler, 32, reached Hawaii on Friday to end a 43-day solo rowboat journey from California, breaking several records in the process.Credit...Michelle Bir

By Evan Gorelick

Published July 5, 2026Updated July 7, 2026

It has been six weeks since Kelsey Pfendler, a Grand Canyon river-rafting guide, launched her 21-foot rowboat off the craggy shores of Central California into the Pacific Ocean.

Late on Friday night — more than 2,300 miles and 43 days later — she pulled into Ala Wai harbor in Honolulu, docked her boat and stepped back onto land, breaking several records in the process.

Ms. Pfendler, 32, received a hero’s welcome from hundreds of fans lined up in the harbor. Thousands more congratulated her on social media, where she has been posting daily videos documenting her progress.

She appears to be the first American woman to have successfully rowed solo from California to Hawaii — as well as the youngest person, and the fastest, to have completed that route without assistance, according to data from the Ocean Rowing Society International.

Her final time was 43 days, 17 hours, 55 minutes and 59 seconds, she wrote on social media.

The next-fastest woman to complete the same route solo and without assistance took just over 86 days. She did it in 2020.

“We all had our phone lights on guiding her in to the harbor, sort of like guiding stars,” said Sarah Maune, 33, a content creator who posts cooking videos under the name Sarah Kraffty and whose vacation trip to Hawaii happened to coincide with Ms. Pfendler’s finish. “Everyone was chanting her name.”

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