A Record Breaking Row From California to Hawaii with Kelsey Pfendler

Kelsey Pfendler made history on July 3, 2026, when she became the first American woman to row solo from California to Hawaii, completing the crossing in just 43 days and setting a new speed record. An open ocean rower and longtime Grand Canyon river guide, Kelsey spent two years preparing and funding the expedition herself. Her journey culminated in a record that shattered the previous men's mark by nearly nine days and established one of the fastest solo ocean rows ever completed across the Pacific.Connect with Kelsey: Website InstagramIf you enjoyed this conversation, listen to episodes with Taryn Smith, Tez Steinberg and the LAT 35 team. Listen to REI’s Camp Monsters podcast!Thank you to our sponsors:Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®SmartwoolAllTrails Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.