Angela's California to Hawaii Solo Row

Facing gale force winds and high seas and multiple bumps and bruises, Angela made the decision to abort her solo row. Between her injuries and the sea state, it was simply impossible to row.

The United States Coast Guard extracted her from the ocean at approximately 03h45 (-0700 GMT), 17 June 2013. She was flown to the Santa Barbara Coast Guard Station. Her boat, the Spirit of Orlando, is currently adrift off Point Conception. A salvage operation is currently in the planning stages.

Angela is now back in Long Beach safe and sound and most probably facing knee surgery for injuries sustained on the boat.

It is now Day 6 since Angela set out from Santa Cruz on her solo row to Hilo, Hawaii.

The first few days were pure hell, with gale force winds and 25 foot waves. The quintessential 'Pacific' ocean has now calmed quite a bit and she is making more progress, albeit in a slow pace.

Angela's track should be almost exacty west by southwest (as the Crow flies) but her actual pace has taken her south by southwest. So although she has rowed 115 miles to date, she is still only 42 miles closer towards her destination.

Clearly the California Current that runs southeasterly along the coast of California is making its presence known in a very communicative manner.

In a solo row, even Super Heroes like Angela need to rest. To do that, she has to deploy a sea anchor to help steady the boat and prevent it from being blown ashore. Unfortunately, the California Current grabs the sea anchor and takes her along for the ride. This fight to get out of the current will last for several weeks since the current is approximately 1,000 km wide (540 nautical miles).

And you thought getting caught in a riptide was bad ....

After a one day delay due to a high surf advisory, GLRF member Angela Madsen @parasurfer set to sea today on an 80-day solo row adventure from Santa Cruz, California to Hilo, Hawaii.

The purpose of her row is first to honor the military and veteran servicemen and servicewomen. She wants to call attention to the struggle many veterans encounter in attempting to access their "promised" benefits after discharge from the military.

The solo row will also be tracked by the Open Ocean Rowing Society since Angela will be the first paraplegic woman to row across the Pacific.

This blog will be updated by the GLRF Team for Angela as she maintains her 20 spm rate over the small 2300 nautical mile course.