Briton Back On Land After Record Pacific Voyage
Record-breaking rower John Beeden tells Sky News his 209-day journey was "10, 15, 100 times harder than I thought it would be."
Sunday 27 December 2015 07:24, UK
A British adventurer has become the first person to row solo and non-stop across the Pacific Ocean from mainland North America to mainland Australia.
John Beeden, 53, arrived in Australia on Sunday more than six months after setting off from the US west coast.
Mr Beeden, who has already made the shorter journey across the Atlantic, told Sky News he spent an arduous 209 days at sea, rowing some 15 hours a day.
"To be the first person to achieve something on this scale is incredible really, and I can't ... I haven't processed it yet," Mr Beeden told reporters after landing back on dry land.
The adventurer arrived in the northeastern city of Cairns some three months later than expected. He had been due to land in Australia in mid-October but his 7,400 nautical mile (13,704.8 km) journey was hampered by severe weather conditions.
"Every day there was some massive challenge," he told Sky News.
"It was 10, 15, 100 times harder than I thought it would be."
After rowing the Atlantic Ocean in 53 days, he said he had been looking for something a little bit harder.
"It wasn't the record I was interested in," he said.
"I did the Atlantic three years ago and, not that I found it easy, but it didn't push me as far as I thought it would so I went out looking for a difficult challenge and I found one that was definitely what I was looking for."
Mr Beeden was greeted in Cairns by his two daughters and his wife Cheryl, who told reporters she had been left "speechless" by his achievement.
"Incredible, I'm kind of speechless I think. Been living with it for seven months, knew he could do it, always knew he could do it," she said.
Mr Beeden documented the highs and lows of his adventure on Twitter.
The last low came during his final push on Christmas Day when he tweeted: "I'm exhausted, heat & humidity horrible 2day. Have received some brilliant messages of support which will help get me to the finish line."
But it was a happier message from the adventurer after arriving back on land: "Thank you Cairns for the brilliant reception," he tweeted.
"I was overwhelmed, it made the last 209 days worth while. Wow it's over! #solopacificrow."
Mr Beeden is now officially the first to row solo, non-stop from San Francisco to Cairns, Australia, continent to continent, land to land.