Tasman 2025 – Update 26th March

Written for Grant and Luke by John Mitchell, Project Manager

Since the last update Grant & Luke have picked up their pace, last 24 hours averaging nearly 6 kph and 145km, in an attempt to beat the weather change heading their way.

Grant & Luke’s progress up to midday 26th March

Grant and Luke are doing extra time together on the oars as they attempt to finish the expedition before the upcoming weather front causes them problems. The three options for landing Coffs Harbour, Yamba and Ballina are all open to the ocean. The latter two have offshore sand bars and all have breaking surf in rough weather. Ballina is closest but the southward flowing currents means they are more likely to trend towards one of the southernmost harbours of the three.

If the sea state gets too bad they are unlikely to attempt entry until the wind drops. Fingers crossed they arrive before the wind!

Also they still have to cross the final southward current flows and get around the vessels in the shipping lanes. Plenty to keep them on their toes.

My calculations have them approximately 290km from Coffs Harbour and 230km from Ballina at noon 26th

The blog always needs an image of the currents. All those ahead of them are flowing rapidly southward. Position at noon 26th.

From Grant 25th

We are getting thrown around here and the sea feels more ‘Tasman like’ now with confused swells creating tough rowing conditions. But we’re making great speed at over 3 knots. Rowing last night was dangerous in the confused seas with the oars continually catching and smashing into us. Very tiring and we both feel the strain a bit today.

I managed a short drone flight this morning with a successful retrieval.

Currently 320km from Ballina.

Its a race against the weather now, trying to get in before a potentially nasty weather situation develops Sunday. Coming into land is one of the most dangerous parts of this trip if we don’t manage it well. We also have the shipping lanes to negotiate, so a few challenges ahead.

Our families are getting into position to come and meet us and it looks like we will land potentiality on Friday or Saturday at Ballina, Yamba, or Coffs Harbour but still to early to know.

Until then it’s ‘Row you bastards row!

From Grant 26th

Sea has lined up with wind a bit better so much more comfy night where we had a break and didn’t row.

We’re looking very much like Friday afternoon, coming into Coffs, at this stage

This is great news from Grant if they do manage Friday afternoon. Here’s hoping the final push goes to plan.