Omaha Woman Rows 3,000 Miles Across Atlantic—No Experience

When Taryn Smith from Omaha decided to row across the Atlantic Ocean, she faced one tiny issue. She had never been on a rowboat in her life.

On December 14, 2025, Smith pushed off from San Sebastián, La Gomera, off the African coast, determined to become the first American woman to compete solo in the World's Toughest Row. The race lives up to its name as one of the most grueling endurance challenges on Earth.

For 46 days, 3 hours, and 37 minutes, Smith rowed alone across more than 3,000 miles of open ocean. She battled exhaustion, unpredictable weather, and the mental challenge of weeks in isolation with nothing but water in every direction.

On January 29, 2026, she arrived at Nelson's Dockyard in Antigua. Smith finished fifth overall in the women's division and first in the women's solo category, a stunning achievement for someone who learned to row while training for the race itself.

Throughout her journey, Smith used a Starlink satellite to document her experience on Instagram. Her posts from the middle of the ocean offered raw, honest reflections about pushing through discomfort and finding strength when quitting seems easier.

"It's good for us to be uncomfortable sometimes," Smith shared from her tiny boat. "I think it's a part of the human experience."

Why This Inspires

Smith's achievement proves that expertise isn't a prerequisite for courage. She didn't wait until she was qualified or experienced or ready by traditional measures. She simply decided the challenge mattered more than her lack of credentials.

Her willingness to be a beginner at something impossibly hard offers a powerful reminder. The things that scare us most might also lead to our greatest growth.

Smith's solo row across the Atlantic shows us that sometimes the best time to start is before you're ready.