TOUGHEST ROW. ACTION NEWS 8 REPORTER MICHAEL ROSALES JOINS US IN THE STUDIO WITH MORE.## ERIN- KELSEY PFENDLER IS ALREADY MILES INTO HER JOURNEY AS A SOLO ROWER. SHE’S A LITTLE OFF TRACK DUE TO WINDS… BUT MAKING HER WAY BACK. MEANWHILE — WE’RE CLOSE TO THE WORLD’S TOUGHEST ROW COMPETITION STARTING — ROWERS IN MONTEREY ARE GETTING PREPARED FOR THE MORE THAN 28-HUNDRED MILE JOURNEY ACROSS THE PACIFC.## 31-YEAR-OLD KELSEY PFENDLER AIMS TO BE THE FIRST AMERICAN WOMAN TO SAIL FROM CALIFORNIA TO HAWAII SOLO. THAT’S MORE THAN 28-HUNDRED MILES ACROSS THE PACIFIC. AND SOON SHE WON’T BE ALONE.. ANOTHER GROUP OF ROWERS IS PREPARING TO FOLLOW FOR THE WORLD’S TOUGHEST ROW COMPETITION. THE TEAM SAYS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR THAT WILL HELP THEM STAY SANE….IS ENJOYING EACH OTHERS COMPANY…AND WORKING AS ONE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OCEAN. OVER NEAR THE THE OLD FISHERMAN’S WHARF…THE WORLDS TOUGHEST ROW IS ALREADY STAGED FOR ATHLETES TO SET OFF NEXT SATURDAY…. AND ERIN — ANYONE WHO WANTS TO KEEP TRACK OF KELSEY — SHE POSTS DAILY ON HER SOCIAL MEDIA. YOU CAN ALSO VIEW A LIVE MAP TO SEE HOW CLOSE SHE IS TO HER DESTINATION.###
Kelsey Pfendler on track to break overall California-to-Hawaii rowing record
Updated: 11:38 AM PDT Jul 2, 2026
Kelsey Pfendler, a 32-year-old solo rower, is nearing the end of her more than 2,400-mile journey from Monterey to Hawaii and is on pace to break the overall record for the route.Video above is from our coverage when she began her journey.Pfendler began her trip on May 21, rowing from Monterey, and now, nearly 43 days later, she has traveled 2,258 nautical miles and is estimated to finish on July 4 at around 2:03 p.m. Pfendler is hoping to become the youngest and fastest woman to complete the journey solo.The current women’s record is held by Lia Ditton, who completed the journey in 86 days, 10 hours, and 5 minutes in 2020. Overall, Pfendler is the third woman to attempt the feat.If she maintains this pace, Pfendler will shatter that record.She is also on pace to break the overall record held by Rob Eustace of the U.K., who completed the journey in 52 days, 13 hours, and 17 minutes in 2014, according to the Guinness World Records. Pfendler said her journey is about more than endurance. She is also rowing to raise awareness and money for the Whale Foundation, an organization that provides health and wellness services to Grand Canyon river guides.Pfendler said the Whale Foundation has long supported the river community, and she hopes her trip is a way to give back. To keep up with her journey online, click here.
MONTEREY, Calif. —
Kelsey Pfendler, a 32-year-old solo rower, is nearing the end of her more than 2,400-mile journey from Monterey to Hawaii and is on pace to break the overall record for the route.
Video above is from our coverage when she began her journey.
Pfendler began her trip on May 21, rowing from Monterey, and now, nearly 43 days later, she has traveled 2,258 nautical miles and is estimated to finish on July 4 at around 2:03 p.m.
Pfendler is hoping to become the youngest and fastest woman to complete the journey solo.
The current women’s record is held by Lia Ditton, who completed the journey in 86 days, 10 hours, and 5 minutes in 2020. Overall, Pfendler is the third woman to attempt the feat.
If she maintains this pace, Pfendler will shatter that record.
She is also on pace to break the overall record held by Rob Eustace of the U.K., who completed the journey in 52 days, 13 hours, and 17 minutes in 2014, according to the Guinness World Records.
Pfendler said her journey is about more than endurance. She is also rowing to raise awareness and money for the Whale Foundation, an organization that provides health and wellness services to Grand Canyon river guides.
Pfendler said the Whale Foundation has long supported the river community, and she hopes her trip is a way to give back.
To keep up with her journey online, click here.