'Those final few hours were brutal': British duo end epic journey in Australia after rowing across Pacific Ocean

Jess Rowe and Miriam Payne's grueling Pacific Ocean rowing journey finally came to an end yesterday evening in Cairns, Australia, after eight months of relentless paddling. The British duo's epic feat, which spanned 15,000 kilometers over five and a half months, has left them physically scarred but profoundly triumphant.

As they pulled their tiny vessel, Velocity, into the marina, Rowe, 28, couldn't help but reflect on the brutal final hours of their journey. The gusting wind off Cairns had been a constant nemesis, threatening to dash their dreams of completing the crossing. "The wind was pushing us off the channel, and we honestly thought we weren't going to make it," Rowe recalled, her voice laced with emotion.

Just when all hope seemed lost, the pair spotted land, and their exhaustion gave way to elation. The 400km stretch between their tiny boat and the shore had been a psychological battle as much as a physical one, but Payne's unwavering determination had kept them both going. "We still can't quite believe it's real," Payne said, her voice trembling with relief.

The duo's remarkable achievement has set a new benchmark in long-distance rowing, making them the first all-female pair and youngest team to complete the crossing non-stop and unsupported. Their journey was far from easy, however. They faced treacherous waves, navigation challenges, and equipment failures, including a rudder failure that sent their initial attempt awry.

Despite these setbacks, Rowe and Payne persevered, fueled by their shared passion for adventure and a determination to push the boundaries of human endurance. "Our power was dropping, the water-maker pipes burst, but after nine repairs, we managed a bypass and just limped along with little power for the rest of the crossing," Payne explained.

The journey has been more than just a test of physical strength; it's also been an emotional rollercoaster. The pair had to endure moments of despair, including a "chocolate emergency" that tested their resolve. However, they drew strength from each other and their shared sense of purpose.

As they stood on dry land for the first time in months, Rowe reflected on the incredible bond she'd formed with Payne. "It was really great to have Jess as a teammate," she said. "What was great was that we worked hard together, problem-solved together, and were always working towards the same goals."

The duo's remarkable achievement has not only earned them international recognition but also raised over £86,000 for the Outward Bound Trust, an organization dedicated to empowering young people through outdoor education.

As they look ahead to their next adventure, Rowe and Payne are already planning new expeditions together. Theirs is a testament to the power of friendship and determination in the face of adversity – a reminder that even the most daunting challenges can be overcome with courage, resilience, and a shared sense of purpose.

OMG u guys can u believe they did it? 15k km non-stop rowing is insane! i feel like they went through so much physical & mental pain but they just kept going for each other & their dream they're literally heroes on water (literally lol) and i'm so proud of them for pushing the limits of human endurance now lets get them some well-deserved rest they must be exhausted anyway, i think its amazing how their friendship & teamwork made all the difference in their journey it just goes to show that when u have people who believe in u & support u, u can achieve anything

Can you believe they did it?! Eight months at sea, 15k kilometers and zero sleep... I mean, what's next for these two? They deserve a medal just for making it through that chocolate emergency . But seriously, their bond is so strong, it's amazing to watch. And the fact that they raised so much money for Outward Bound Trust? That's pure awesomeness . I'm loving this new generation of adventurers who are pushing limits and inspiring others to do the same .

can u believe these 2 chicks just rowed 15000km across pacific ocean like it was nothing they faced so many obstacles but never gave up on each other i think its awesome how they worked together as a team & problem-solved every single issue that came their way the fact that they raised over £86k for charity is just amazing these 2 are total inspirations to me and i'm sure to so many others

I'm low-key so impressed by Jess Rowe & Miriam Payne's epic journey ! Eight months is crazy talk, but they did it ! It's not just about the physical challenge, it's about mental toughness too - I mean, can you even imagine dealing with those gusting winds and equipment failures? They must've been like, "Is this real life?" at times. But they stuck together, supported each other, and pushed through those tough moments . Now, I'm not gonna lie, a chocolate emergency sounds like a total bummer ... but hey, they laughed it off and kept moving forward. Can we talk about their bond though? They're like two peas in a pod, except they can row 15k miles together ! Anyway, I'm hyped to see what they do next - they've got some serious adventure mode activated . And yay for Outward Bound Trust - they're doing amazing work with young people . Cheers to Jess & Miriam - you two rock!

I'm so hyped for them lol, but like at the same time I'm not sure if 15,000 kilometers is really that long ... I mean, have they seen all those km on Google Maps or something? On the other hand, it's still super impressive how they managed to row non-stop and stuff. Their teamwork skills are on point . But did they have any like, actual medical check-ups during their journey? Just wondering . Anyway, congrats to them for finishing this epic feat and raising so much cash for that trusty org ! Maybe next time they can try rowing with a drone instead of just paddling

OMG u guyz!! I'm literally SHOOK by Jess & Miriam's insane rowing journey!!! 15k km is CRAZY and they did it without stopping?! what even is that?! And can we talk about how determined Payne was?! I mean, a rudder failure on top of everything else? That's INSANE! They're literally superheroes in the ocean . I'm loving how they're already planning new adventures together tho ... bring it on, Jess & Miriam!!!

omg i'm so inspired by these girls!! they've been on this grueling rowing journey for 8 months and still managed to push through so many obstacles like equipment failure & bad weather but what's even more amazing is how strong their bond is - they worked together as a team, supported each other through tough times & celebrated their wins i wish our school had something like that we could work on team-building activities like this too anyway i'm so happy for them and i hope they do many more epic adventures together

I'm telling you, something fishy went down on this rowing trip . I mean, 15,000 kilometers non-stop? That's crazy! And they just happened to finish at the exact spot where they started? Coincidence? I don't think so . There has to be more to it than meets the eye. Have you seen those videos of their boat? It looks like a tiny bathtub on wheels . How did they even fit all that gear and supplies in there?! And what about the rudder failure? That's not just a coincidence, my friend... that's a deliberate attempt to sabotage their journey .

And don't even get me started on the "chocolate emergency" . What kind of emergency is that?! It sounds like a joke to me . I'm not buying it. There has to be more to this story than what they're letting on. I'll be keeping an eye on these two, that's for sure . They might think they've won the lottery with this achievement, but I know the truth...

I'm totally exhausted just reading about their journey ! Eight months at sea sounds like a nightmare , but I guess it's all worth it for that feeling of triumph when you finally reach land . I mean, can you imagine facing 400km of open water with no support team in sight? It's insane that they had to deal with equipment failures and treacherous waves on top of the physical toll. But what really gets me is how their friendship held together through it all . I've seen so many couples argue over ridiculous things, but these two were focused solely on each other... and their rowing goal . They're an inspiration to anyone who's ever felt like giving up on a crazy dream .

I'm soooo over how everyone's fawning all over Jess and Miriam now . Like, yeah sure they're super accomplished and all that, but let's not forget it was just a boat ride across the ocean... big deal! I mean, what's the real achievement here? They made it to their destination without sinking or something . Give me a break. And don't even get me started on how everyone's going to be like "oh they're so brave" and all that jazz . Please, it was just a bunch of hard work and dedication, not exactly rocket science. And what really gets my goat is how all this newfound fame is going to go straight to their heads... let's see how long it takes them to forget where they came from .

I mean, 15,000 kilometers is just insane, you feel? And it's not like they had some fancy support team or anything, they were basically on their own out there. But you know what's even crazier? The fact that the forum comments section has to spend hours going over every single detail of their journey . Like, can we just get to the point already? And why do we have to see like 5 different screenshots of the same sunset every time someone posts a comment about this story . It's all good and well that Jess and Miriam accomplished something amazing, but can't they just have their moment in peace without us nitpicking every little thing?