GoKawiilHONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Hundreds gathered along Magic Island and Ala Wai Boat Harbor Friday to watch solo rower Kelsey Pfendler complete her record-breaking journey from California to Hawaii.
She began the more than 2,400-mile journey from Monterey, California, to Honolulu on May 21.
Pfendler rowed into the harbor shortly after 9 p.m. aboard her 21-foot ocean rowing boat, Lily. She was greeted by a large, cheering crowd at the Hawaii Yacht Club.
Pfendler was on a mission to become the first, youngest and fastest woman to row solo from California to Hawaii.
She did it in 43 days, shattering the previous women’s record, 86 days, 10 hours and five minutes, held by Lia Ditton — but also broke through the men’s record of 52 days.
“Accomplishing an amazing feat, you know? People should really give a lot of respect to a woman that can do that,” said Robert Hoffman, who was among the hundreds who started gathering at Magic Island for Pfendler’s arrival.
“I know she’s done it with other people but she’s doing it by herself now, and she’s be going out there, and that’s something that most people wouldn’t think of — that’s being alone out in the middle of the ocean coming over here,” said Marco Gomez of San Antonio, Texas.
Gomez had been tracking Pfendler’s journey and couldn’t contain his excitement that a previously planned family vacation to Hawaii was happening at the same time as her arrival.
The anticipation and the crowd both grew as she was spotted off Diamond Head, rowing the final few miles to shore. The hundreds that were gathered burst into cheers as she slowly rowed past toward them toward the Hawaii Yacht Club.
“This is amazing girl power. So impressed with what Kelsey’s been able to do I think with everything that’s going on. Just so impressed,” said Honolulu resident Amanda Wentz.
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