WEM graduate to row 3,000 miles across Pacific

Endurance Limits USA will be the fourth mixed pair team ever to row the Pacific Ocean.

More people have been to space than have rowed an ocean. Ten times as many have climbed Mount Everest. Those facts make it all the more mind-bending why Erin Hammer (from McIntosh) and Ryan Foss (from Brainerd) will begin a 3,000-mile rowing adventure from Monterey, California, to Waikiki, Hawaii, next Saturday, June 4. 

The Great Pacific Race is the first and only rowing race on the Pacific Ocean. Two- and four-person teams from around the world will row, unassisted by sail or engine, for anywhere from 30 to 80 days before reaching Hawaii. Erin and Ryan hope to break the 45-day world record.

The journey is nearly incomprehensible until you understand their friendship. Erin and Ryan met while earning their Executive MBA degrees from the University of Minnesota – Carlson School of Management. In the seven years since, they have climbed Mount Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside of Asia, and completed the seven-day Jungle Marathon through the Amazon. It was during the Jungle Marathon that they befriended a few Londoners who inspired the creation of Endurance Limits USA, an offshoot of the UK team raising funds through human endurance challenges after one of their children was told he had reached his ‘endurance limit’ after battling years of constant seizures. 

Motivated by compassion and a love for adventure, Erin and Ryan are working to raise $200,000 for Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Children’s Hospital Colorado and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Sponsorships have covered all race expenses, meaning any donation to Endurance Limits USA will go directly to these hospitals to address the urgent health needs of children who otherwise could not afford treatment. 

“We are inspired by the courage of our young friend, Hadley, and the many athletes and donors who have supported efforts to raise awareness and funds for children and the excellent hospitals that serve them,” said Erin Hammer. 

Generous sponsors were crucial in getting Endurance Limits USA started. Minnesota- based brightpeak financial, a division of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans that empowers young Christians to live financially smart, healthy and to make a difference in the world, jumped to the challenge as the lead sponsor of Endurance Limits USA. 

Learn more about brightpeak financial at brightpeakfinancial.com. 

“We see this race as a way to raise awareness and much needed funding for several well-respected children’s hospitals across the United States and welcome donations from supporters as they are able,” said Ryan Foss. 

Erin and Ryan will use a satellite phone to communicate with family and fans throughout the race, and their journey can be followed on their website (http://endurancelimitsusa.com/) and through social media: https://www.facebook.com/EnduranceLimitsUSA; https://twitter.com/TeamEnduranceUS; https://www.instagram.com/endurancelimitsusa/

Information on the Great Pacific Race, including required training for rowers and biographies of participating teams, can be found at http://www.newoceanwave.com/great-pacific-race/.