World’s Toughest Row’s victors set to reach Hanalei Bay on Sunday – after more than one month at sea

In a race across the mid-Pacific Ocean, eight teams are heading towards the finish line of the World’s Toughest Row at Black Pot Beach on Hanalei Bay on the North Shore of Kaua‘i.

In a wrestle for podium places, teams from all over the world have fought their way across 2,800 miles of ocean, experiencing encounters with sharks nudging their boats, whales swimming alongside them with their young, blisters, sleep deprivation and stormy weather – all in the name of raising money for their chosen charities.

This race started in Monterey, California, and after over one month at sea, the battle for second and third place is still not decided – with only three nautical miles between the finishers, which are expected to arrive at Hanalei Bay on July 15 or 16, according to standings posted on Friday. The winning team will be a male fours team known as “Salty Sappers,” which is expected to arrive at Hanalei Bay on July 14.

The 2024 race also marks a moment in history, as for the very first time in the sport, the number of women competing in this year’s race will be higher than the number of men. This year’s Pacific race sees a shift with 70% women compared to men.

The annual event is supported by the State of Hawai‘i Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Land and Natural Resources, as well as local canoe clubs on Hanalei Bay and the local community.

To watch the finish of this year’s race, the World’s Toughest Row invites Kaua‘i to join it in welcoming its teams onto land or watch the live stream on its YouTube channel.

Each team’s estimated time of arrival will be posted on the World’s Toughest Row’s social media channels, which can be found @worldstoughestrow on Facebook and Instagram.