PhD Student Taylan Stulting Preparing to Row Across the Pacific Ocean

PhD student Taylan Stulting is preparing to row, yes row, across the Pacific Ocean. Starting June 7, Taylan and two teammates will begin the 2,800-mile journey in the World’s Toughest Row — Pacific from Monterey, CA to the Hawaiian Island of Kauai.

Their team, Oar the Rainbow, is a mixed-gender team and if all goes well, Taylan will be the first out transgender rower to complete the crossing. At UW, they work in gender-based violence prevention and response and row with the Mendota Rowing Club.

The team believes “we all have the power and responsibility to build a safer, more inclusive, and equitable world,” and are raising funds for Athlete Ally and Doctors Without Borders.

The crossing will be unsupported, with no help from other vessels, no motors, no sails. They will carry everything they need on board and row in shifts of two hours on and two hours off, 24 hours a day. The team esmitates it will take 40 days to make the journey.

To follow Taylan and their team’s progress, check out their website and social media: Oar the Rainbow.

Recent news coverage of the team:

Local PhD student to make history in ocean rowing race
A team including UW–Madison student Taylan Stulting will compete in World’s Toughest Row, a 2,800-mile race across the Pacific Ocean. (Madison Magazine)