By — Stephen Fee Stephen Fee Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/solo-rower-completes-voyage-from-north-america-to-australia Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Solo rower completes voyage from North America to Australia Nation Dec 27, 2015 6:05 PM EDT For seven months, 53-year-old John Beeden rowed his 20-foot long boat, named “Socks II”, sometimes fifteen hours a day. On Sunday, he set foot on dry land in northeast Australia for the first time in 209 days. “To be the first person to achieve something on this scale is incredible, really,” Beeden said. “I haven’t processed it yet.” Beeden left San Francisco on June 1, and covered some 7,400 nautical miles across the Pacific Ocean, occasionally meeting with resupply boats along the way. “It’s been difficult the whole way but in fairness, that’s what I was looking for,” he said. “I just didn’t’ realize that it was going to be so difficult.” Beeden rowed across the Atlantic Ocean three years ago, but hoped for a greater challenge this time around. “About 14 and a half thousand kilometers– that’s a long way,” he said. “Only ever do it once in your life.” We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Stephen Fee Stephen Fee Stephen Fee is a producer and on-air reporter for PBS NewsHour Weekend. Since joining the broadcast in January 2014, he's reported on the obesity crisis in Mexico, the safety risks of the US shale oil boom, and the debate over terminally ill people using experimental drugs, among other stories. @stephenmfee
For seven months, 53-year-old John Beeden rowed his 20-foot long boat, named “Socks II”, sometimes fifteen hours a day. On Sunday, he set foot on dry land in northeast Australia for the first time in 209 days. “To be the first person to achieve something on this scale is incredible, really,” Beeden said. “I haven’t processed it yet.” Beeden left San Francisco on June 1, and covered some 7,400 nautical miles across the Pacific Ocean, occasionally meeting with resupply boats along the way. “It’s been difficult the whole way but in fairness, that’s what I was looking for,” he said. “I just didn’t’ realize that it was going to be so difficult.” Beeden rowed across the Atlantic Ocean three years ago, but hoped for a greater challenge this time around. “About 14 and a half thousand kilometers– that’s a long way,” he said. “Only ever do it once in your life.” We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now