News US woman sets out on 6,000-mile Pacific crossing by rowboat

[brassmonkey]

CHOSHI, Japan (AP) ? The best part of being on the ocean for weeks at a time, says Sonya Baumstein, is the stars. The worst? Being wet, all the time.

Baumstein, an athlete from Orlando, Florida, waited for weeks to set out in her custom-designed rowboat from Choshi, a port east of Tokyo, headed for San Francisco. With a few last-minute adjustments to her supplies and a brief call to her parents, she rowed out of the marina on Sunday, a tiny sliver on the glittering horizon, hoping to finish the 6,000-mile (9,600-kilometer) journey by late September and become the first woman to row solo across the Pacific.

Only three other rowboats have made the journey, and no woman has ever done it alone.

Having already rowed the Atlantic to the Caribbean, the 29-year-old has a pretty clear idea of what all those weeks at sea will be like. With relatively clear skies, she may get the peaceful, starry night she was hoping for.

"It's very cool to see wildlife, but to watch the passing of the stars, because I row all night if it's good weather. To see the complete Milky Way," she said.

It's the paradox of modern-day adventuring that with new, extra-lightweight materials, solar panels and high-tech telecommunications, explorers and other extreme athletes can skate ever closer to survival's edge, under skeins of stars most of us rarely see.

Baumstein's rowboat, the "Icha," short for an Okinawan phrase meaning "once we meet we're family," is a lime-green, 23-foot (7-meter) -long vessel that weighs less than 660 pounds (300 kilograms). It has no motor or sail.

When the weather allows, she plans to row 14-16 hours a day, breaking her sleep to check her location ? she hopes to stay within the 100-kilometer (62-mile) -wide Kuroshio current that arcs across the Pacific, at least for the first part of the journey.

Baumstein rowed competitively in high school and at the University of Wisconsin, but was sidelined by a bad car accident. After recovering, she joined three men in rowing the mid-Atlantic from the Canary Islands to Barbados in January 2012. She has kayaked from Washington state to Alaska, stand-up paddle-boarded across the Bering Strait and bicycled 1,800 miles (2,900 kilometers) from the Mexican border to Seattle.

She likens the Pacific challenge to "climbing K-12 without oxygen."

But she's determined.

US woman sets out on 6,000-mile Pacific crossing by rowboat

[WebCashMaker]

Looking at her pictures, I thought she would be more fit looking.

[brassmonkey]

Originally Posted by WebCashMaker

Looking at her pictures, I thought she would be more fit looking.

she's going to look like she's been smokin meth when she hits cali

[L-Pink]

Someone else the Coast Guard will spend time and money saving.

[mineistaken]

Spree of BM news threads.

[blackmonsters]

Another stupid useless stunt for worthless news reports.

[Bryan G]

Originally Posted by WebCashMaker

Looking at her pictures, I thought she would be more fit looking.

I thought the same thing. However, have you seen these long distance swimmers? They usually have a bit of meat on their bones as well.

[brassmonkey]

Originally Posted by blackmonsters

Another stupid useless stunt for worthless news reports.

she's going to make money off of this her youtube journey with her food and supplies from sponsors in the background there are so many avenues she can take.

[Panty Snatcher]

I met her grand parents last week !

[TheSquealer]

she's obese and clearly not someone that is psychically prepared for the massive challenge ahead. Being a snarky feminist cunt that sincerely believes she "can do anything", doesn't make her an athlete.

[brassmonkey]

Originally Posted by TheSquealer

she's obese and clearly not someone that is psychically prepared for the massive challenge ahead. Being a snarky feminist cunt that sincerely believes she "can do anything", doesn't make her an athlete.

she will make it

[Mutt]

She won't make it, as L-Pink said she's gonna need to be rescued. Storms come up even on the Great Lakes that a rowboat won't survive nevermind the Pacific Ocean.

[dyna mo]

i've set the over/under for that fatso @ 1500 nautical miles.

[Captain Kawaii]

She will sink like a fat rock. Somehow, Germany will be blamed.

[bushwacker]

She would be better off trying to set the hotdog eating record.

[ErectMedia]

Sharks In Motion

[pimpmaster9000]

no way that boat can store enough food for her fat ass...

[crockett]

Originally Posted by TheSquealer

she's obese and clearly not someone that is psychically prepared for the massive challenge ahead. Being a snarky feminist cunt that sincerely believes she "can do anything", doesn't make her an athlete.

Did you even bother to read the article? I'm pretty sure it's safe to say she has done far more adventures of this sort than you have and 99.9% of the rest of the world.

[brassmonkey]

Originally Posted by crockett

Did you even bother to read the article? I'm pretty sure it's safe to say she has done far more adventures of this sort than you have and 99.9% of the rest of the world.

she swill make it!! track her journey here Expedition Pacific: Solo Row Across the Pacific Ocean

[TrashyGirl]

Huffington Post: She gained 40 lbs for the rowing trip

But if you google image her, she is still bigger than the average girl before putting on weight for the trip.

[brassmonkey]

Originally Posted by TrashyGirl

Huffington Post: She gained 40 lbs for the rowing trip

But if you google image her, she is still bigger than the average girl before putting on weight for the trip.

yep! that's what i was saying!! she needs the fat! if she doesnt have it she would burn up! no fat to burn she's done! she knows her shit! her diet will be high protein! peanut butter crackers energy bars trail mix

[Rochard]

Why do people do shit like this?

[sonofsam]

Originally Posted by Rochard

Why do people do shit like this?

Why do losers spend their entire life sitting at a computer, to wake up one day at age 60 and wonder "why did I waste my life?"

Seriously going to talk shit about a chick that is living life?

[dyna mo]

this reminds me of one of my most favorite documentaries- a terrific subject matter and incredibly well done

In 1968, Donald Crowhurst, an inexperienced British sailor, puts up his home as collateral, gains financial backing and enters the Golden Globe, the first nonstop boat race around the world. Under dire financial pressure, Crowhurst decides to set sail before his boat is fully built, leaving it unprepared for the stresses of the open ocean. Crowhurst is under-prepared himself, and his decision to embark before he and his vessel are ready sets a deadly chain of events into motion.

a classic tale of british daring do.

[TheSquealer]

Originally Posted by crockett

Did you even bother to read the article? I'm pretty sure it's safe to say she has done far more adventures of this sort than you have and 99.9% of the rest of the world.

As someone that spent a significant portion of my life bobbing around the pacific, bering sea and sea of okhotsk, and as someone who has owned gyms and who trains athletes (strength and conditioning for fighters) and spends hours a day in the gym i can speak both to the fact... that 1) she is in no way in shape for the task before her which is obvious at a glance and 2) people have zero clue what 5 knots of wind or a 4 knot current is like. she has to cross between two counter rotating currents. One would take her straight north (the bering sea./north pacific rotates clockwise and below that, the opposite - which means she can't afford to be off course as she has to stay exactly between both to move in a straight line with no power). The slightest breath of wind can send her miles in either direction. weather can get real shitty real fast with with little to no warning... a forecast for 15 knot winds can easily become 40 knot winds with no warning which is why weather is updated in real time and has to be watched all day long. Any wind at all makes it almost impossible to row as the wind not only pushes the boat, but moves the surface of the water as well in that direction.... meaning you are twice fucked.

it will be like all other bullshit attempts of this nature. heavy reliance on tons of support, medics, support boats carrying added gear, people helping her in every single way but touching an oar etc etc etc etc etc.

Just because its summer, doesn't mean that in the middle of the ocean, its flat calm. The pacific is violent. Thats why Maui North Short frequently has 50'+ surf.

[brassmonkey]

damn she's going at it

[blackmonsters]

Originally Posted by sonofsam

Why do losers spend their entire life sitting at a computer, to wake up one day at age 60 and wonder "why did I waste my life?"

Seriously going to talk shit about a chick that is living life?

Yep, 6000 miles of jelly fish floating by is the life.

[crockett]

Originally Posted by TheSquealer

As someone that spent a significant portion of my life bobbing around the pacific, bering sea and sea of okhotsk, and as someone who has owned gyms and who trains athletes (strength and conditioning for fighters) and spends hours a day in the gym i can speak both to the fact... that 1) she is in no way in shape for the task before her which is obvious at a glance and 2) people have zero clue what 5 knots of wind or a 4 knot current is like. she has to cross between two counter rotating currents. One would take her straight north (the bering sea./north pacific rotates clockwise and below that, the opposite - which means she can't afford to be off course as she has to stay exactly between both to move in a straight line with no power). The slightest breath of wind can send her miles in either direction. weather can get real shitty real fast with with little to no warning... a forecast for 15 knot winds can easily become 40 knot winds with no warning which is why weather is updated in real time and has to be watched all day long. Any wind at all makes it almost impossible to row as the wind not only pushes the boat, but moves the surface of the water as well in that direction.... meaning you are twice fucked.

it will be like all other bullshit attempts of this nature. heavy reliance on tons of support, medics, support boats carrying added gear, people helping her in every single way but touching an oar etc etc etc etc etc.

Just because its summer, doesn't mean that in the middle of the ocean, its flat calm. The pacific is violent. Thats why Maui North Short frequently has 50'+ surf.

The woman has kayaked from Washington to Alaska... She has rowed Atlantic to the Caribbean and has bicycled from Mexico to Seattle (1800 miles). This is obviously not her first go around at this kind of shit.. She obviously knows what to expect and no you don't have to be an top physical shape to do shit like this. It helps yes but is not necessary. It's mind set and will power which is the most important things.

[mikesouth]

Originally Posted by crockett

The woman has kayaked from Washington to Alaska... She has rowed Atlantic to the Caribbean and has bicycled from Mexico to Seattle (1800 miles). This is obviously not her first go around at this kind of shit.. She obviously knows what to expect and no you don't have to be an top physical shape to do shit like this. It helps yes but is not necessary. It's mind set and will power which is the most important things.

yup this aint her first rodeo...she will make it barring anything drastically unforeseen....perseverance and intelligence are way more important for something like this than physical training...which she obviously has considering her past experience.

to me Lara Dekker is a MUCH more interesting story though.

[L-Pink]

Originally Posted by blackmonsters

Yep, 6000 miles of jelly fish floating by is the life.

[TheSquealer]

Originally Posted by crockett

The woman has kayaked from Washington to Alaska... She has rowed Atlantic to the Caribbean and has bicycled from Mexico to Seattle (1800 miles). This is obviously not her first go around at this kind of shit.. She obviously knows what to expect and no you don't have to be an top physical shape to do shit like this. It helps yes but is not necessary. It's mind set and will power which is the most important things.

I'm not sure if you've ever looked at a map, but leisurely kayaking up through the islands and Inside Passage from Bellingham or Blaine to South Eastern Alaska and hugging the shore, isn't exactly the same as crossing an ocean in a larger boat, powered by oars. Only someone that understands nothing about physical performance, the ocean and the actual difficulty of what she is attempting would say something like "you don't have to be in top physical shape to do something like this". Wind, massive swells, currents, wind catching the boat, wind moving the top layer of water in the opposite direction etc etc etc. It's a huge huge huge physical task and she's not even someone thats attempted to prepare for the actual physical challenge.

[crockett]

Originally Posted by TheSquealer

I'm not sure if you've ever looked at a map, but leisurely kayaking up through the islands and Inside Passage from Bellingham or Blaine to South Eastern Alaska and hugging the shore, isn't exactly the same as crossing an ocean in a larger boat, powered by oars. Only someone that understands nothing about physical performance, the ocean and the actual difficulty of what she is attempting would say something like "you don't have to be in top physical shape to do something like this". Wind, massive swells, currents, wind catching the boat, wind moving the top layer of water in the opposite direction etc etc etc. It's a huge huge huge physical task and she's not even someone thats attempted to prepare for the actual physical challenge.

I ask again have you even bothered to put 5 mins of research into your ramblings before making your commits about how you know everything?

She has attempted this trip 2 times.. Once in 2012, once in 2013. Now she will try again. In her second attempt she made it to the Aleutian Islands. That's almost fucking to Alaska..

Again this is not her first rodeo.. Maybe she makes it maybe she doesn't but it's extremely fucking clear you haven't bothered to spend 2 seconds looking into her history or past experience. You just want to be a Debbie Downer and spout off about your knowing everything because she looks a little chunky.

[TheSquealer]

You don't know that the Aleutians islands are Alaska?

[crockett]

Originally Posted by TheSquealer

You don't know that the Aleutians islands are Alaska?

Mainland which was her goal... Do I really have to feed you every little piece of information like you are 2 years old or are you completely incapable of figuring things out yourself?

[Bladewire]

Odd people commenting on her attractiveness, weight & assumed lack of athletisism. She is not a man, therefore pick her apart. Damn.

[spads]

Originally Posted by crucifissio

no way that boat can store enough food for her fat ass...

You do realize that you need the fat to survive something like this right? Oh wait that's because this is just another attempt to slam the US. It would be different if she was doing it for mother Russia. LOL you're pathetic.

[_Richard_]

Originally Posted by spads

You do realize that you need the fat to survive something like this right? Oh wait that's because this is just another attempt to slam the US. It would be different if she was doing it for mother Russia. LOL you're pathetic.

best of luck to her

[BlackCrayon]

update this thread when she gives up. many have tried and failed and some died. some made it but i'd say most don't.

[brassmonkey]

Originally Posted by crockett

Mainland which was her goal... Do I really have to feed you every little piece of information like you are 2 years old or are you completely incapable of figuring things out yourself?

like feeding a rock baby food!

[scuba steve]

Originally Posted by brassmonkey

yep! that's what i was saying!! she needs the fat! if she doesnt have it she would burn up! no fat to burn she's done! she knows her shit! her diet will be high protein! peanut butter crackers energy bars trail mix

i'm not surprised her upper body would be jacked from rowing, but lil shocked her stomach is as big as it is. yeah you need fat, but i've never seen endurance athletes fat like that for any event

[brassmonkey]

Originally Posted by scuba steve

i'm not surprised her upper body would be jacked from rowing, but lil shocked her stomach is as big as it is. yeah you need fat, but i've never seen endurance athletes fat like that for any event

you ever hear of a bear bulking up fat for the winter? she will burn off all of that fat b4 she hits cali. if you did this kind of thing you would know. without that fat your body would burn out fast.

[scuba steve]

Originally Posted by brassmonkey

you ever hear of a bear bulking up fat for the winter? she will burn off all of that fat b4 she hits cali. if you did this kind of thing you would know. without that fat your body would burn out fast.

haha i think bulking up and sleeping to burn off is a world of difference. when you do long distance things, you have nutrition along the way, that's how you maintain your energy

[brassmonkey]

Originally Posted by scuba steve

haha i think bulking up and sleeping to burn off is a world of difference. when you do long distance things, you have nutrition along the way, that's how you maintain your energy

burning the fat asleep or awake same thing dood. rowing 14 hours a day she will burn it. she will be looking like chyna at the end. she will need a high protein diet

[dyna mo]

Just did a Google on long distance sculling, didn't find anything at all about getting fat to make it. None of the trans Atlantic crossings were done by rowers who started the journey over weight.

[Bladewire]

Yeah I guess she's just some stupid fat bitch that doesn't know WTF she's doing

Previous Expeditions

Dec 2011 - Jan 2012 (57 days): Rowed the Atlantic Ocean, Canaries to Barbados

Mar 15 2012 - May 20 2012: Tour biked, fully loaded, from Mexican Border to Seattle

June 2012 - August 2012: Sea kayaked from Seattle (Ballard) to Juneau, Alaska

June 15 - August 8 2013: Western Alaska kayak/SUP expedition (August 1 2013: Became the first person to SUP the Bering Strait from Big Diomede to Alaskan mainland, just north of Wales, AK)

Education

B.A.: University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI
M.A.: University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL

- See more

[brassmonkey]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

Just did a Google on long distance sculling, didn't find anything at all about getting fat to make it. None of the trans Atlantic crossings were done by rowers who started the journey over weight.

its her journey how she does it is not for you to worry about. go clean up sum beach turdz

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by brassmonkey

its her journey how she does it is not for you to worry about. go clean up sum beach turdz

Gofuckyourself. Why you feel the need to fuck with my view is some thing a shrink can help you with.

[scuba steve]

Originally Posted by brassmonkey

burning the fat asleep or awake same thing dood. rowing 14 hours a day she will burn it. she will be looking like chyna at the end. she will need a high protein diet

haha same thing? not even close

i'll say she has a ton of experience and has more of an idea then i know about rowing, but "fattening" up with cheeseburgers to do it? i don't see that

[brassmonkey]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

Gofuckyourself. Why you feel the need to fuck with my view is some thing a shrink can help you with.

fuk your view turd collector

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by brassmonkey

fuk your view turd collector

OK. Now what? See how fucking stupid you are being.