World · 5 July 2026
US woman rows solo from California to Hawaii
Illustration: AI-generated for editorial context. Not photographic evidence.
Kelsey Pfendler, a Grand Canyon river-rafting guide, completed the first solo mid-Pacific row by an American woman, reaching Honolulu on Friday. She completed the more than 2,400-mile journey in just under 44 days, breaking both the previous women's and men's speed records. Pfendler shared her journey's highs and lows through video diaries on social media, where hundreds of thousands followed along.
Reported by Guardian · How we write briefs