Team Couples Therapy: Competing in the 2027 “World’s Toughest Row: Pacific”
worldstoughestrow.com | @team_couples_therapy

The World's Toughest Row: Pacific is exactly what it says on the tin. Roughly 2,800 miles of open water from Monterey, California to Hanalei Bay, Kaua'i, rowed unsupported in a 30-foot ocean rowing boat by a crew of two. No resupply, no land, no escape from the boat or each other for somewhere between 35 and 50 days.

Fewer than 100 people have ever crossed the Pacific by row. The route is longer than the Atlantic, the weather windows are tighter, and the conditions are less forgiving in pretty much every way that matters.

Ben crossed the Atlantic in 2021, which gave us a useful starting point and zero illusions about what the Pacific is going to ask of us. Karyna is new to the sport, and neither of us has rowed this ocean before. We were originally registered for World's Toughest Row: Atlantic 2026 and moved the campaign to the Pacific 2027 race instead to make this race work with our professional schedules.

Ocean rowing strips most things away. You're left with the boat, the weather, your training, and whatever you and your partner brought with you mentally. The race keeps showing that ordinary people, given enough time, patience, and preparation, can pull off things most people would consider unthinkable. We're going to find out what we can do, and what we’re made of!