Rowers Inspired By Guest Speakers
[Written by Barbara O’Shaughnessy]
Members of the Bermuda Rowing Association, along with fellow rowing enthusiasts, were inspired by the “Believe You Can” presentation delivered by Cameron Parker and Theresa Patricios, who participated in the 2023 Pacific Discovery rowing expedition from Monterey, California, to Hawaii.
Their remarkable journey of determination and triumph reinforced a powerful message: when you truly believe in yourself, anything is possible.
Speaker Patricios emphasised that the Pacific Discovery crew was made up of everyday people, including some who had never rowed before, proving that extraordinary achievements are within reach for anyone willing to take on the challenge.
Patricios had long been intrigued by her friend Parker’s inspiring story of rowing across the Atlantic, so when her company announced a Dream Pitch in 2020, she saw it as the perfect opportunity to challenge herself and pursue a dream she had carried for years.
In 2022, Parker and Patricios joined a four-person crew and became the first reinsurance team to complete the World’s Toughest Row.
Their goal was to challenge their personal limits, strengthen their teamwork, and demonstrate the power of adventure with purpose.
Their mission in crossing the Pacific was to spark more open conversations around mental health while raising funds for Mind, a UK mental health charity.
Over the course of their two-year project – encompassing extensive planning, logistics, training, and fundraising – Pacific Discovery remained committed to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health.
They also set an ambitious goal of raising £100,000 for Mind, a charity dedicated to ensuring everyone has access to the mental health support they need.
On June 12, the Pacific Discovery crew set off on an extraordinary challenge: to row across the Pacific Ocean in a boat not much larger than a car.
Beginning in Monterey Bay, California, and finishing in Hanalei Bay, Kauai, the “World’s Toughest Row” spans 2,800 miles of untamed open ocean.
During their record-breaking 34-day journey, the crew faced relentless challenges – from seasickness and sleep deprivation to extreme weather and both physical and emotional exhaustion.
Equipment failures added yet another test of their resilience, pushing them to dig even deeper to keep moving forward.
On July 16, 2023, the crew of Pacific Discovery crossed the finish line and took third place overall, and first in the mixed class.
Additionally, the team set a new world record to become the fastest mixed crew to row across the Pacific Ocean.
Through powerful stories from their 2,800-mile Pacific journey, Parker and Patricios demonstrated that with teamwork, determination, and honest conversations about mental health, everyone can discover strengths they never knew they had.
