Kevin Gaskell and Ocean5 row team break 2 world records crossing the Pacific Ocean in an open rowing boat
A Newbury man has broken a world record with a 5,000km historical journey, writes Bethany Sirianni.
Kevin Gaskell, 66, and his Ocean5 Team completed the row across the Pacific from Monterey, California, to Hanalei, Kauai, in just 32 days, six hours and 51 minutes, smashing the previous record of 51 days.
Crossing the 2,800 nautical miles, was an extreme physical and mental challenge for the team of five rowers – which also included Mr Gaskell’s son, Matt, a 34-year-old endurance athlete who was the expedition medic; Tom Higham, 37, the crew skipper; Patrick Deacon, 40; and Stephen Greenan, 40.
Two 'oar-some' world records later and they are the fastest five men to row across the Pacific Ocean, with former CEO and veteran adventurer Mr Gaskell now holding the record for oldest person to complete the challenge.
Setting off on June 7, the Ocean5 crew embarked on a gruelling 32-day journey, facing extreme ocean conditions, sleep deprivation, physical exhaustion and unpredictable weather all while rowing in relentless shifts.
Now Newburytoday has had the pleasure of speaking to Mr Gaskell after his daring feat.
Our reporter, Beth Sirianni, started by asking him how he trained for a world record row of this magnitude.
“It’s a two‑year build-up,” he said. “That means a disciplined fitness regime: non-stop training year-round – cycling, gym, dragging car tyres through the woods – not running anymore – bad knees!
“On top of that, long hours on the indoor rower, sea training with the team to simulate shifting weather, broken sleep patterns, food rationing. You have to rehearse the grind, mentally and physically.”
Together the team overcame towering waves, difficult conditions and technical challenges, not to mention the mental and physical toll, burning around 6,000 calories per rower, per day.
Mr Gaskell also spoke about the difficulty of the row.
“Besides the constant adverse weather was the ‘knockdowns’ – those terrifying waves that flipped the boat over sideways, sometimes every few minutes, the crew knocked out of their seats and sliding across the row deck into the ocean,” he added.
“The physical challenge was immense – dropping 10kg of body weight in a month demonstrates just how hard this crossing tested me physically.”
But “[the best were] moments of team unity – deep exhaustion, blisters and pain, but the five of us constantly supporting each other. Pulling into Hawaii was a pretty good feeling too.”
Mr Gaskell, former Porsche and BMW UK CEO, now holds three world records, the two from this row adding to a previous world record for rowing across the Atlantic Ocean in just 35 days.
So, how did the Pacific row compared to the previous Atlantic row?
“The Pacific was a step up in every way,” he said. “In 2020 we set a new five‑man Atlantic record at 35 days which was brutal, but the Pacific was another step up – tougher and more remote.
“The Pacific weather is cold with constant cloud and rain, headwinds and adverse currents.
“On both crossings we were up to 1,500 miles from land, utterly alone. In the Atlantic you have shipping lanes, aeroplane trails overhead and potentially emergency support; in the Pacific there is nothing, just the team and the ocean.”
He's no stranger to adventure having previously walked to both poles with his son, climbed some of the world's highest mountains and taken part in other rowing challenges and expeditions.
He said: “I thrive on pushing limits – physically, mentally and as a team leader. Every challenge is a test in resilience and unity. After turning around failing companies for decades, I translate that into expedition goals: set a target, align the team, execute with relentless determination.”
Their vessel, Lady Jane II, a 9.6-metre Rannoch RX45, was powered only by oars and sustained by solar panels and 500kg of freeze-dried food.
With three rowing positions and two small cabins for shelter, the vessel is as compact as possible, despite being weighty coming up at 1,500kg when fully loaded.
The row was not only a personal challenge but a fundraising event for The Lewis Moody Foundation (LMF), which supports brain tumour research and awareness through The Brain Tumour Charity. With an aim to raise more than £75,000, the team are well on their way as they've just surpassed the £50,000 mark.
Newburytoday asked Kevin how it felt to raise so much money for LMF.
“Exciting – and deeply humbling,” he said. “It is an inspiring organisation which does incredible work.
“We have set out to raise £75,000 and I’m proud that we are approaching that target. Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of young people in the UK and the Lewis Moody Foundation continues to achieve positive results.
“The fact that something so powerful can come from suffering, sweat and teamwork at sea, means the world.”
Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of the under 40s yet less than three per cent of cancer research funding is currently allocated to the cause.
The foundation works to raise awareness; fund pioneering research and provide a community network for those affected. You can find the link to donate here.
Speaking after the row, Mr Gaskell added: “This was the toughest challenge of our lives. We’ve pushed through storms, exhaustion and everything the Pacific could throw at us.
“To break the record with this incredible team and raise awareness for such a vital cause makes it all worthwhile.”
So, what’s next: “Back to business – but I’m already eyeing the next horizon. Probably not another ocean row but something as yet unconquered. And of course, continuing to channel my experiences into leadership talks and raising funds for causes that matter.”
“Adventure for me isn’t a one-off – it’s a way of living.”