Louis Margot and his new adventure: 18500 km of rowing

Imagine rowing across the vast Pacific Ocean, alone, relying solely on your own strength. This is the extraordinary challenge undertaken by Louis Margot, a former Swiss national team rower on a solo, human-powered circumnavigation of the globe. Driven by a desire to push his limits and defy convention, Margot’s journey embodies the resilience and determination of the human spirit.

After more than 400 days of travel, Margot has arrived in Lima, Peru, ready to face the most daunting leg of his expedition: crossing the Pacific Ocean. A staggering 18 500 km separates him from Oceania, the next continent on his route.

This final stretch of rowing presents obstacles far beyond sheer physical endurance. “As I approach Australia, the winds will intensify, and the likelihood of encountering storms will increase,” Margot explains. “My plan is to make a brief stop at the Marquesas Islands, but there’s a chance I might miss them—so I’m prepared to stay on the water longer if needed.”

The mental strain is as significant as the physical challenge. “You can’t fully prepare for what you’ll face out there, and there’s no one to turn to for guidance,” Margot shared when reflecting on his preparation for this incredible feat.

Having begun the rowing portion of his journey with an athlete’s mindset—approaching it as if he were training for his next regatta—Margot soon realized he needed to abandon his conventional understanding of sport. “You have to completely shift your perspective,” he noted. Meditation and a conscious disconnection from people, time, and the rest of the world became crucial coping mechanisms during the long, solitary days at sea.

For Margot, the hardest parts of the journey are the moments of departure and arrival. Saying goodbye to loved ones and leaving solid ground behind is emotionally complex, and returning to land unaided after such a solitary experience presents its own challenges. “The final days before arrival are the most stressful,” he admits. “You can’t even sleep, for fear of missing the landing point.”

The next phase of his journey will be grueling, requiring him to confront both expected and unforeseen risks. But Margot is confident that the lessons he’s learned along the way have equipped him to handle whatever comes next. His ultimate goal remains clear: to complete the journey and return home.