On Friday 27 February, Old Pangbournian and record-breaking ocean rower Jess Rowe returned to Pangbourne College to share her extraordinary story of adventure, resilience and teamwork. Her visit included a full day engaging with students and a special evening talk open to the wider community.

During the day, Jess met pupils across all age groups, including pupils from Pangbourne Primary School and the College's senior rowers and delivered a keynote talk. She recounted her record-breaking six-month Pacific Ocean crossing with teammate Miriam Payne as part of the Seas The Day ocean rowing team. 

The duo rowed non-stop and unsupported for over 165 days, covering more than 8,200 nautical miles from Peru to Cairns, Australia, becoming the first all-female team to complete a mainland-to-mainland Pacific crossing setting a Guinness World Record. 

The expedition tested every aspect of endurance, courage and ingenuity. Jess and her teammate faced extreme weather, equipment failures and isolation.  Rowing in shifts around the clock, surviving on desalinated seawater, freeze-dried meals and fresh-caught fish, all while navigating treacherous open ocean conditions. Her story of perseverance, teamwork and problem-solving captured the imagination of students and staff alike.

Rowing remains a performance sport at Pangbourne College and our senior rowers had the unique opportunity to connect Jess’s lessons from elite ocean rowing directly to their own training, learning how endurance, teamwork and resilience translate from the high seas to competitive rowing at the College.

Jess’s visit also highlighted Pangbourne’s commitment to adventure. Through its adventure curriculum, the College challenges students beyond their comfort zones, fostering resilience, problem-solving, collaboration and confidence alongside strong academic foundations. Jess’s story offered a vivid example of how determination and teamwork can transform challenges into achievement.

In the evening, a public talk welcomed the wider Pangbournian Community, providing a rare opportunity to hear firsthand from a world-class adventurer whose journey made global headlines. 

Head of College, Mr Oliver Knight, said:
"Jess’s story perfectly demonstrates the values we hope our students embrace: the confidence to take risks, the discipline to prepare thoroughly and the character to take ownership of decisions and outcomes. It is inspiring to see an Old Pangbournian living these values so powerfully."

Jess Rowe’s visit reinforced Pangbourne College’s mission to equip young people with the skills, confidence and courage to thrive both in the classroom and in the wider world.