Three Scottish brothers from Edinburgh just rewrote the record books by completing the fastest unsupported row across the entire Pacific Ocean, covering over 9,000 miles in an incredible 139 days. Jamie, Ewan, and Lachlan Maclean endured seasickness, violent storms, and a terrifying moment when Lachlan was swept overboard, yet they never stopped rowing toward their goal of reaching Cairns, Australia from Peru. Their remarkable journey wasn’t just about breaking records but about raising over $940,000 for clean water projects that will transform lives in Madagascar through their Maclean Foundation charity. As food supplies dwindled dangerously low toward the end, the brothers faced their greatest test of endurance and brotherhood.
Their triumphant arrival at Cairns Marlin Marina was nothing short of cinematic, with the trio playing bagpipes and waving Scottish, Australian, and UK flags as more than 50 family members and supporters cheered from the dock. Eldest brother Ewan’s radio call requesting “pizza and beer” just before arrival perfectly captured their mix of exhaustion and elation after completing what he called “the hardest thing he had ever done.” The brothers shattered the previous record by 21 days, beating Russian solo rower Fyodor Konyukhov’s 2014 time of 160 days. Through tears of joy and bonds forged by shared struggle, the Maclean brothers proved that with family by your side, even the vast Pacific Ocean can be conquered one stroke at a time.