Bend natives Jennifer and Kristen Hofer are the first sisters to row across the Pacific Ocean

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Forty days, 22 hours and 14 minutes - that’s how long it took Bend native Jennifer Hofer, her sister Kristen and two teammates to row 2,800 miles across the Pacific Ocean, from Monterey Bay, California, to Kauai, Hawaii, in a race known as the World’s Toughest Row.

On September 4, 2022, the Hofer sisters welcomed their fourth teammate, and Team Hericane Rowing was born. For the next two years, the team trained relentlessly, preparing for the race, which began on June 8, 2024.

Over the course of their 40-day journey, they faced numerous challenges, including their boat capsizing on Day 8. Yet the Hofer sisters and their team were prepared for anything, determined to overcome every obstacle and complete the race.

In a grueling competition against eight other teams, each day was an endless cycle of consuming high-calorie foods, staying hydrated, catching brief moments of sleep, and rowing tirelessly.

On the 38th day, the Hofers spotted land and, driven by sheer determination, pushed tirelessly toward the finish. Running on no sleep, they achieved something no sisters had ever accomplished before: rowing across the Pacific.

Team Hericane finished 6th overall in the race and 2nd in the women’s category. Along with their campaign to tackle the World’s Toughest Row, the team also fundraised $35,000 for Planned Parenthood.