Tom Robinson is currently on a journey to become the youngest person to row across the Pacific Ocean.
The journey covers 8,000 nautical miles, or 14,800 km for those that are not familiar with sea and air voyage, from Peru to Australia.
In total, he will spend 12 months at sea in a wooden vessel designed and built by hand, making landfall along the way to resupply and explore the cultures of the South Pacific.
In July 2021 Wood Central’s Senior Editor Jim Bowden covered Tom’s ‘greatest adventure’ which consists of separate legs to re-supply and experience the cultures and biodiversity of some of the world’s most isolated and beautiful islands.
After traveling from Peru to Penrhyn, Tom is about to embark on the next leg which could see him travel to Brisbane, Australia non-stop weather permitting.
The all-important boat – introducing the Maiwar
Maiwar is the 24-foot ocean rowing boat designed and built by Tom.
To date the boat has held up admirably. According to Tom, Maiwar, being smaller other ocean boats, gives less resistance when being hit by a large wave, greatly reducing the risk of snapping an oar.
The name (pronounced may-wah) is the local Indigenous name for the Brisbane River, her birthplace.
Tom, who has spoken extensively about the build, said the boat was built using the ‘clinker’ method of construction, with epoxy glue used to fasten the planks.
Her backbone is made out of recycled Douglas Fir, her planking is 6.5mm Hoop Pine plywood donated by Brisbane-based Austral Plywoods, which is fastened to Spotted Gum ribs using clenched copper nails, her decks and cabin are also of plywood. Western Red Cedar is used throughout for framing and Australian Cedar is used for brightwork/trim.
Tom, who has been blogging the trip, left Penrhyn on Saturday, 15 April 2023 after four months with the wonderfully hospitable and unassuming Penrhyn people.
Paradise under the sun
Tom arrived in Penrhyn, the most isolated island in the Cook Island chain, in December 2022 after 160 days and 5000 nautical miles at sea.
Leaving Peru in July 2022, Tom has confronted many experiences at sea.
Amongst close encounters include navigating through one the world’s largest squid fishing fleets, an Ecuadorian tuna vessel offering Tom potato chips, cigarettes, and powerade (Muchas Gracias), rare contact with a Chilian cargo ship destined for China after 64 days in isolation and too many unwelcome flying fish on deck.
But Tom’s greatest challenge occurred on day 75 at sea where a strong sou-easter pushed him off course – ultimately, he had to sail for Penrhyn instead of Marquesas adding 60 days to the voyage.
In January 2023 Tom reflected on this challenge in his blog.
“Just like that my first leg went from a 100-day passage to a 160-day passage. The whole picture in my mind of the journey changed: French Polynesia, Tahiti, Tonga, it all went out the window. I soon adjusted and got excited again about Penrhyn Island. I relaxed a bit and things were good again.”
He continues:
“As I got closer to the island, I saw the bow of an aluminium work barge heading my way. It alternately appeared then disappeared with the undulating swell. “Salvation!” I cried. It got closer and I saw a big boat with about ten fine looking Cook Islanders. They were all speaking excitedly in Māori, taking photographs. ‘This seems like a good place to stay’, I thought to myself.”
Then it hit me: I had arrived. From Peru to Paradise in 160 days.
When Tom arrived in Penrhyn, it marked the first international vessel to arrive on the remote islands since 2019 – and even before Covid international visits were decidedly rare.
In a March 2023 blog, Tom spoke about the hospitality of the local people. He remarked that the treatment has been helped by two factors. The first being his status as a shipwrecked sailor and the second his involvement in island activities.
“The people of Penrhyn are not new to looking after stranded sailors, and there are often stories told about the odd Japanese fishing boat that has been wrecked on the island, the most recent of which was in the last 15 years.”
“The crew were all evacuated off the ship and taken in by different families, where they stayed until a flight could be charted to take them off the island. In the same manner, I have been housed, fed, and even clothed.”
“Early on I was given a rice cooker, a bucket of rice and strict instructions to simply ask anytime I needed fish. In this manner I have been eating plenty of both.”
To this end Tom has blogged extensively about the home, fishing, and the church – and the important role each play in the regions unique culture.
Farewell to Paradise. Homeward Bound!
Which brings us to Saturday.
Tom is approximately 3,000 nautical miles from Brisbane (or 100 days at average speed), 1,500 miles from Fiji (50 days) and just 900 miles from Samoa (30 days).
And whilst he has provisions to reach Australia non-stop his preference is to travel via Fiji or Samoa.
Enjoying a final meal in Penrhyn and reflecting on the journey ahead, Tom remarked:
“I went back to my meal and dreamt of this land called Fiji where the food grows on trees and couples go to the movies on a Saturday night; a land with three daily newspapers and a rich history. A place with a museum and a library, colonial architecture; all those things. And at that moment I realised it was time for me to continue my journey, to keep rowing, to keep exploring. Perhaps there will be no pasture as green as Penrhyn, but I simply must find out for myself.”
- To follow Tom’s journey across the Pacific visit Tom Robinson’s website, you can also follow him on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. Tom also has a GoFundMe page which assists with resupplies.
