The first crossing by human power of the Pacific Ocean from North America to Asia

As of 30 Dec 2022, I returned to Legazpi in the Philippines where I made landfall a while back, on March 24th by rowboat. That landfall concluded my 30-day row across the Philippine Sea from Guam, a stopover I had reached earlier after a 129-day effort from Waikiki.

This was the first time that anyone ventured west from Hawaii by human power. No human powered vessel had gone west from Hawaii across the mid Pacific. All prior crossings aimed southwest toward Australia. Similarly, no such vessel crossed the Philippine Sea from Guam onward. Both of these were historic firsts.

By reaching the Philippines, an Asian country, I completed a historic crossing of the Pacific Ocean from North America to Asia, the first by human power.

Safety was consistently a priority; I always had to keep my rowboat out of harm’s way to keep rowing another day. For that reason, I accepted a tow of about 200-250m inside the Ala Wai Marina on arrival at Waikiki when sailing vessels crowded around me as they returned to dock after a sundown buoy race. I departed from Waikiki under my own power, crossing my inbound track on the way out.

Two separate tows of just over 3 miles in and out of the Apra Harbor on Guam, helped me avoid the coral reefs guarding access to Marianas Yacht Club. With typical 15 plus knots of northeast trade winds, the tight harbor entrance and the rocky leeward shores were a big risk; these two tows ensured the safety of my rowboat. Of course I made a point of crossing my inbound course on the way out to ensure continuity.

The next step on my journey will be to bicycle in January from Legazpi to Currimao at the northwest corner of Luzon Island. I will launch from Currimao toward Vietnam by rowboat once the conditions are favorable in February.

I am grateful for the strong support that I am receiving in Legazpi from the Albay Yacht Club, Legazpi Oceanfront Hostel and Cyrel Chan at Your Brother Mayon ATV Tours.