MORRISVILLE – In the middle of the Pacific Ocean, where Kelsey Pfendler is rowing solo from California to Hawaii, the side of her purpose-built craft displays the Concept2 logo.
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Monday evening, Pfendler’s tracker showed her just 261 nautical miles from her destination after one month, nine days and a few hours
Her web site says her goal is “To row Solo Unsupported over 2,400 miles from Monterey, California to the Hawaiian island of Oʻahu. Along the way I hope to become the first American woman, youngest woman and fastest woman to do so. The current world record is 86 days, 10 hours and 5 minutes, held by Lia Ditton.”
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She seems on track to achieve that goal, besting the record by more than a month, barring unforeseen difficulties.
“We first crossed paths with Kelsey when she competed in the World’s Toughest Row in 2024 with Team Herricane,” said Concept2’s Ariel Karabinus, who works in customer service.
“Each year we support a team during the World’s Toughest Row, and while we did not support Team Herricane, we thought that their row was incredibly inspiring.
Pfendler was skipper of that Hericane Rowing women’s 4 team in 2024. “After two years of preparation, we sat ready in Monterey, California for the start of our race: The World’s Toughest Row – Pacific.”
“Along the way we faced huge waves, capsizing, equipment failures and adverse currents,” she said..
“Together we pushed through adversity and arrived in Kauai after 40 days, 22 hours and 14 minutes. Sleep deprived and ready for a shower, we were asked if we’d do it again. I didn’t have to think twice. ‘In a heartbeat,’ I said.”
When Kelsey reached out about support for her solo row . . . we knew we wanted to be involved to support the first American woman, third woman ever, and youngest woman ever to row the Mid Pacific solo,” said Concept2’s Karabinus.
Concept2 supports Pfendler with oars for her crossing, as well as an Erg to train on ahead of the row.
A story Concept2 wrote about Kelsey in March, “Kelsey Pfendler: A River Guide’s Journey to a Solo Pacific Crossing” is at concept2.com/blog/kelsey–pfendler–a–river–guides–journey–to–a–solo–pacific–crossing.”
Pfendler has been regularly posting reels on Facebook that share the joys and challenges of the trip.
At the halfway mark she said she was feeling down so she jumped in the vast emptiness of the ocean for a swim while tethered to her craft.
In a lighter moment Sunday, with the end of her trip in sight, she wrote: “Hypothetically you have a week left on the water and 5 packets of coffee left. Would you rather have 3 days of really good coffee, or 5 days of mediocre?”
“These are the hard-hitting questions,” she said.
Follow the remainder of Pfendler’s trip on Facebook at You Row Kelsey.
Learn more about what Concept2 does for outreach and charitable work at concept2.com/about/social-responsibility.
Concept2, the Morrisville company dedicated to producing competitive rowing and training equipment, was started in 1976 by brothers Peter and Dick Dreissigacker who were competitive rowers themselves. They were joined by their partners Bari Dreissigacker and Judy Geer.
Dick Dreissigacker and Judy Geer then purchased the Craftsbury Outdoor Center in November 2008, reforming it as a non-profit organization with a new mission: To support and promote participation and excellence in lifelong sports with a special focus on rowing, XC skiing, biathlon and running; to use and teach sustainable practices and to protect and manage the surrounding land, lake and trails.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
