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In 2020, she saw the fleet of the Talisker Whisky Challenge—now called The World’s Toughest Row—arrive in Antigua, and the cogs started turning. Having spent most of her professional career preparing and racing other people's ocean racing yachts, it was a surprisingly daunting task to take on her own little rowboat and event. But Liz was up for the challenge, excited to try and adapt her lifetime of lessons learnt on the water while fishing and ocean racing to rowing (very slowly) 3000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.
Liz entered The World’s Toughest row—Atlantic in 2023 in the solo category with her 7.2-meter boat Tic Tac (because it looks like a half-eaten Tic Tac.) Normally a bit of an adrenaline junkie—racing fast yachts across oceans, doing foiling wind sports in her spare time, and always on the move—this would turn out to be slowest-paced thing she has ever done.
Slow, yes—but also one of the most demanding and rewarding experiences of her career. The simplicity of rowing, paired with the ever-changing complexity of weather, waves, and whatever else nature decided to throw her way, had her hooked. Liz crossed the finish line 3rd in the solo division and took more than 15 days off the previous women’s record. Not bad for her first row.
Barely five months later, she was back at the start line—this time for The Mid Pacific race from California to Hawaii, paired up with 17-year-old Lena Kurbiel. A very different experience racing as a duo, but still, what an outcome: 3rd overall, 2nd in the pairs category, and Lena became the youngest person to row the Mid Pacific route.
But when Liz arrived in Hawaii, something still felt unfinished. So, five days later—while most people would be embracing dry land—she launched her boat again, pointing it vaguely in the direction of Australia to see what she might find.
“Forty-one days later I rowed into the Marshall Islands after literally having the time of my life rowing across most of the Pacific Ocean,” she says. “The remoteness of that track was amazing; I didn’t see a boat or a trace of a plane for 39 days. The wildlife was out of this world, and I just loved it.”
Next up? Liz is heading back to The World’s Toughest Row – Mid Pacific in June 2026. This time, she’ll be racing as a pair with Andrew Breen from Ireland.
Fast Facts:
- Born and raised in Papua New Guinea
- Fishing is her first love
- Has raced around the world 3 times
- Is a kite surfing and wing foiling addict
Liz’s favourite Mustang Survival Gear:
Images: Georgia Schofield
