Lia breaks solo row record

15/09/2020

Congratulations to adventurer Lia Ditton who has set a new women’s world record for a solo row from San Francisco to Hawaii. Lia, who carries WesCom flares as part of her safety equipment, set off on 17 June in her 20ft-long boat in a bid to set the fastest time for the 2,500 nautical mile row.

Lia completed the journey in 86 days, 10 hours, five minutes and 56 seconds. The previous record was 99 days.

Early in the crossing, her boat capsized in the dark, forced over by a rogue wave, but Lia managed to correct it and get back inside.

She has also struggled against strong winds, waves and currents, threatening to pull her off-course.

Lia also heard the tragic news that rower Angela Madsen had died on 22 June while rowing to Hawaii. Earlier in the year, rower Ruihan Yu had died during her second attempt at the same challenge.

On Day 40 she wrote on her blog for her RowLiaRow website, “I expected to take you on a record attempt, a journey of endless visual beauty across the South Pacific. Instead, it’s been a voyage of emotions: a battle of mastery over mind and mind over trauma.”

Lia had aimed to start the row in April, but she was delayed by Coronavirus restrictions and access issues.

On a previous North Pacific challenge, Lia said, “I wouldn’t want to go to sea with any other flares than Pains Wessex. The brand’s pyrotechnic flares were so bright we had to look away, so I have every confidence – should I need to use them.”