WESTBOUND ROWER
The Great Pacific Challenge
Westbound Row
The Westbound Row will be the first ever unassisted mainland-to-mainland row crossing of the Pacific Ocean between the Americas and Asia.
Starting from Crescent City, California on June 22, 2021, Erden passed south of Oahu, Hawaii, before heading to Legazpi, Philippines, where he waited for the typhoon season to end.
He will begin the final leg of his Pacific Crossing in mid-February from the West side of the Philippines, crossing the South China Sea on his way to Danang, Vietnam.
His journey will not stop there, however, as he will then ride his bike to Portugal to continue his 2 nd circumnavigation of planet Earth.
Route Statistics
Estimated Distance: 7800 Nautical Miles
Estimated Time of Crossing: 10-Months
Project Mission
Conservation, A Clean Ocean and Clean Water
Erden will be setting off on this historic first to raise awareness and produce engaging educational content during his 10-month crossing of the Pacific. Along the transect, he will gather scientific data to document the range of beaked whales and other species in the Pacific. Erden will also raise awareness about plastics in the ocean, serving science and the well being of the Planet.
Collaborating with Ocean Recovery Alliance and Exploring by the Seat of your Pants live coverage will be created directly to classrooms across the globe. Unique multi-lingual online educational content will engage, inspire and excite audiences, both young and old, forming a loyal, ongoing following throughout the expedition.
Anticipated World Records
- First mainland-to-mainland crossing of the Pacific Ocean by human power
- Highest career total for days at sea by an ocean rower
- Highest total in career days by a solo ocean rower
- First ocean rower to break the 1000 days-at-sea threshold
- Highest career total in nautical miles by a solo ocean rower
The vast expanse of the open ocean, the maturity of the rower, his anticipated accomplishments, and his conservation causes will raise the profile of this project.
Previous Expeditions
Around-n-Over is an NGO Erden Founded in 2003 to support his Six-Summits-Projects and inspire students around the world based on the realities of human powered explorations and adventure to develop students into stewards of the Earth.
The Six Summit Project
The Six-Summits-Project was inspired and a journey in rememberance of Göran Kropp's legacy. This project is to reach then climb the tallest peak on each continent (excluding Antarctica) using only human power.
- Denali (Mckinley), North America; Completed
- Kosciuszko, Australia; Completed
- Kilimanjaro, Africa: Completed
- Everest, Asia
- Elbrus, Europe
- Aconcagua, South America
About Erden
Erden Eruc is a world-record-holding ocean rower, adventurer, USCG Captain and Sailing Instructor. Erden completed the first solo circumnavigation of the Earth by human power which he started in 2007 and took 5 years and 11 days to complete this feat. He is one of the leading ocean rowers in the world today, holding 16 Guinness World Records in the sport and for the first human powered circumnavigation.
He is the recipient of the 2013 “Citation of Merit” from the Explorers Club and one of the 2013 Adventures of the Year – “Nine Individuals changing the face of global adventure” Selected by Outside Magazine and one of the most “50 Most Adventurous Men” by Men’s Journal.
Additionally, Erden Eruc Holds a Master of Science in each of Mechanical Engineering ad Engineering Mechanics and an MBA; holds the USCG master 50 GRT Near Coastal and RYA Yachtmaster Offshore licences and is a sailing instructor in Seattle, WA.
Historical Firsts
- First Solo Circumnavigation of the Globe using Human Power
- First Person to Row across three different ocean (Pacific, Atlantic, Indian)
- First to cross the Atlantic Ocean from the southern to the Northern hemisphere (solo east-to-west)
- First to row across the Indian ocean, mainland-to-mainland from Australia to Africa
Ocean Recovery Alliance
Ocean Recovery Alliance is focused on entrepreneuring programs to reduce plastic pollution, both on land and water, by creating strategic solutions for governments, industry and communities which lead to long-term, hands-on business practices that engage. Our mission is achieved through purposefully designed programs to educate, build awareness and provide solutions which inspire positive societal change at the community, national and international levels.
Education
For the Archive of the previous weekly content releases, or to see the content in Spanish and Chinese, please visit the Westbound Rower Education Program Site at Ocean Recovery Alliance.
Week 34: Updates and New Monthly Content Releases (Till Erden Starts again after the Typhoon Season)
Livestream with Schools
A collection of livestreams with Erden and Exploring By the Seat of Your Pants
Next Livestream: TBD
- Erden Eruc : Live from Hawaii (Part 1)
Date of Livestream: September 22, 2021
- Erden Eruc: Live from Hawaii (Part 2)
Date of Livestream: September 28, 2021
Erden Eruc: Live from Somewhere in the Pacific
Date of Livestream: October 27, 2021
Erden Eruc: Live from Somewhere in the Pacific (Part 2)
Erden did not make it to the call due to technical difficulties. Doug Woodring from Ocean Recovery Alliance takes over for a Q&A session related to the Westbound Row
Date of Livestream: November 16, 2021
Erden Eruc: Live from Somewhere in the Pacific (Part 3)
We are joined by special guest Dr. Jay Barlow from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography where he talks about his work and Erden's contribution towards Beaked Whales research
Date of Livestream: 29 November, 2021
Erden Eruç Update on What it's Like to Power Yourself Around the World
Date of Recording: 10 January 2022
Support
All proceeds beyond the stated fundraising goal of his GoFundMe expedition campaign, will help Ocean Recovery Alliance and his nonprofit Around-n-Over. Please see:
Follow Erden
This series of educational content was inspired by the historic journey by Westbound Rower, Erden Eruç across the Pacific Ocean. Follow him on his tracking page, see his blog and other information pages on his website: https://www.erdeneruc.com
Instagram & Twitter : @erdeneruc
Partners and Collaborators
