Newbury man prepares for Pacific challenge
Kevin Gaskell and his team are hoping to set a new record for crossing the Pacific ocean
Former Porsche and BMW UK CEO Kevin Gaskell is preparing for a record-breaking challenge unlike any before.
On 8th June 2025, Gaskell and his team of five rowers, named the Ocean5 crew, will set off from Monterey, California, aiming to cross the 2,800 nautical mile route over the Pacific Ocean to Hanalei Kauai in Hawaii in record time, targeting 45 days against the current world record time of 52 days. Kevin will also make history as the oldest person ever to row the Pacific.
Kevin, 66 (Newbury), is joined by teammates Matt Gaskell (34, Southampton), Tom Higham (37, Bristol), Patrick Deacon (40, Hinckley), and Stephen Greenan (40, Dublin). Together, as the Ocean5 team, they will embark on a gruelling journey of over 3,200 miles, battling unpredictable ocean currents, extreme weather conditions and the mental and physical strain of continuous rowing. Living off freeze-dried rations and high calorie snacks they’ll each burn around 6000 calories a day.
Other challenges of the crossing include using solar energy to generate fresh water and electrical power for navigation systems while coping with sleep deprivation, salt sores, 30-foot waves, isolation, physical exhaustion and the unrelenting forces of mother nature at her fiercest.
This expedition is not just about personal achievement—it is also dedicated to raising awareness and funds for The Lewis Moody Brain Tumour Trust, a cause close to the team’s heart.
Endurance
Kevin said: “This is another challenge and a fresh adventure. It is an opportunity to push the boundaries of human endurance. At 66, I want to show that age is no limit to achieving extraordinary things. Our team is prepared for the immense physical and mental challenge ahead, and we are committed to breaking records while supporting a cause that makes a real difference.”
Kevin departs the UK on 28th May 2025, to begin final preparations with his crew. The team will row in shifts, facing weeks of intense physical exertion, sleep deprivation, and the unpredictable challenges of the Pacific Ocean—all in pursuit of a new five-man World Record for the Pacific crossing.
About the Boat:
• Lady Jane II is a Rannoch RX45, 9.6m long constructed of carbon fibre
• Three rowing positions and two small cabins for shelter.
• Solar panels power navigation, communications and water making.
• Unladen weight 470kg, but 1500kg when fully laden and crewed.
• Carries 500kg of freeze-dried food; enough to sustain the crew for 55 days.
• Each crew member will burn over 6000 kcal per day.