‘see level’-embarked 2021
A world’s first human powered circumnavigation by SEA. Rowing for humanity, officially launched Oct 10, 2021. The expedition is currently, still adventuring on….
Watch the adventure continue May 14, 2025…LIVE
’SMILES’ HAS NOW GONE OVER 16,000 NAUTICAL MILES. AARON HAS ROWED FOR MORE THAN 440 DAYS.
With a successful rebuild after the capsize, Aaron was able to make it officially across the Pacific Ocean, effective Dec 27th, 2024. After waiting out the Monsoon seasonal winds, he will now begin the second half of his circumnavigation. Like rowing from San Diego to Panama, he will now be the first to also see if ’Smiles’ can split the gap between Australia and PNG, an area known as the Torres Strait. He will then look to reach the Indian Ocean next, via Darwin. The expedition supports countries Aaron visits, with various campaigns, created along the way.
‘Smiles’, A 23 ft Ocean Rowboat-no motor, no sail, just oars
Vessel Specs
Rannoch R20 2014
MMSI registrant, USCG Unclassified Vessel
The Birth of Smiles
Originally from the Vancouver Maritime Museum, like her owner, had midlife body issues. Born in 2014, she sat at the maritime museum with a hole in the stern hull. After the kind at Tri-Parish Fiberglass helped Aaron restore her, the training began.
Training at Horn Island, Gulf of America
Fittings and Rowing began in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Aaron rowed her to Horn Island, camping and building his relationship with ‘Smiles’. The training took place for the first 10 months of 2021
San Diego to Panama
Embarked Oct 9h, 2021 from San Diego, CA. Aaron began to row ’Smiles’ to what the expedition believes is the circumnavigational point, the Panama Canal. 13 months, 3600 NM, 252 days, and over 6000 hours at Sea, Aaron reached Panama. Nov 2022. ‘Smiles’ became the first Rowboat to row from California to Panama. Visiting 7 Countries down the Pacific Coast
The First 12 Months Recap
Looking back, the first 12 months rowing in the Ocean for the first time, had its fair share of learning curves. Despite all the trials and errors, humanity prevailed.
Across the Pacific Ocean
The official starting line of the circumnavigation, is the Panama Canal. Departing Feb 6th, 2023, the first of 3 Ocean crossings, started.
PANAMA TO THE GALAPAGOS
Smiles and Aaron became the first solo rowboat to reach the Galapagos, marking its 8th country to date. Aaron rowed roughly 1300 miles, including 500 nm backwards to repair the watermaker. The row took an estimated 21 days
GALAPAGOS TO FRENCH MARQUISES
The journey then took global headlines, when Smiles lost solar power, and Aaron went dark for 33 days. Rowing in the blind without navigation for an estimated 40 days to reach the French Marquises, Aaron surfaced in a life raft 480 miles east, after a capsize. He was rescued June 15th, 2023. They made it 480 Miles east of the French Marquises. Smiles wasn’t not found, considered sunk. Aaron rowed roughly 2700 NM 87 days.
French Marquises to Fiji
French Marquises to Fiji
Like her owner, Smiles is clearly a survivor. 1 year later to the date of Aaron’s rescue, she was found. The kind of Matuku island, roughly 3,000 NM, SW, still alive. Clearly on her own journey as well, with stories we may never hear. She was spotted near Tonga on June 15th ,2024 and then found on July 15th, 2024
Survivor / Onward
With the help of Marc McElrath and many kind others in Fiji, Aaron was able to do a full restore, and row on. Departing Fiji Sept 30, 2024, the expedition was adventuring on...
Fiji to Papau, Papau New Guinea
With Smiles 2.0 ready, Aaron set out to complete the row across the Pacific Ocean, roughly 2400 NM.
Aaron stopped in his 10 country, Vanuatu for 7 days. Here was one of the many updates on his social. A total of 87 days and 1920 hours at SEA.
Officially across the Pacific
Officially across the Pacific
87 days later, a stop in Vanuatu, Smiles and Aaron successfully reached Papau New Guinea. Smiles has now travelled over 16,000 NM and reached 11 countries with Aaron, possibly a few more on her own. Aaron has now spent 440 days rowing and 9,240 estimated hours at SEA
The Torres Strait
Officially across the Pacific
Completing the first Ocean Rowboat crossing from Panama, Smiles will now attempt to be the first Rowboat thru the Torres Strait, in effort to reach the Indian Ocean, while avoiding the salt water Crocks. Waiting out the NW monsoon winds, the journey continues, May 14th, 2025
The Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean, will mark Aaron as the first American to solo across. The routing is currently under review, based on the arrival from the Torres Strait. This segment is expected for the summer of 2025, or spring of 2026. Cyclone season and possible routing to Indo and India are being considered.
The Agulhas, Bottom of South Africa. The Cape of Good Hope
In order to circumnavigate ‘Smiles’ must get around the bottom of South Africa or thru the Suez Canal. Another Rowboat first, but timed right, the currents will favor.
The Atlantic
The Atlantic
The Atlantic
Smiles third and final Ocean is expected to take place in 2027. This will complete the world‘s first Ocean Rowboat circumnavigation, but the personal quest for Aaron, will continue. Aaron may just look to redeem his first Pacific passage, calling Fiji, his official human powered finish line.
‘Finding the Current’ 2017
An expedition creating awareness for ‘ImAdopted.org’, broke the Guinness Book Of World Records, Longest Solo Journey in a Canoe or Kayak. But staying true to the journey and not the record, here is what it was truly all about
233 days in a Canoe
From Montana to the Atlantic Ocean
An expedition to help his friend raise awareness for the Adopted, allowed Aaron to find his own adventure current in life once again. The expedition was about not taking records and letting the journey take its course. A documentary was filmed following the expedition and is available below.
‘The MINIMALIST’- 2010
Around The World, Without A Bag
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