Trans-Tasman rower reaches shore

Rower Shaun Quincey emerges from the water followed by his partner Lisa. Photo / Greg Bowker

Shaun Quincey says he's feeling remarkably good after finishing his 53-day trans-Tasman rowing ordeal today.

Quincey arrived on Ninety Mile Beach in the Far North today, welcomed by a cheering crowd of hundreds.

He said his crossing was a gruelling but once in a lifetime opportunity.

The Auckland rower was spotted on the horizon about 11.15am, 53 days after setting off from New South Wales.

He swam the last 300m or so to make it to shore at 90 Mile Beach about 12.35pm.

A crowd of about 500 met Quincey, 25, 53 days after setting off in his 7.3m boat Tasman Trespasser from New South Wales on January 20.

The straight line distance across the Tasman is 2200km but winds and currents meant he travelled much further.

"I went around 3900km in the end," he said.

Quincey, who was greeted by his girlfriend, Lisa, said he was tired and hungry.

He faced a sleepless night due to 3m swells on the water.

But after greeting his family, he tucked into a sandwich and opened a bottle of champagne.

"I lost 17 kg on the journey but I'm feeling good with some beer and chips in me," he told NZPA.

"I'm finding it quite hard to walk at the moment after that much time sitting in a confined space, and I'm a bit sunburnt and trying to get used to open spaces again, but generally it's pretty good."

Quincey said the row proved to be a memorable one.

"Crashing into a sperm whale was pretty incredible, as was flipping in the middle of the ocean at 11pm at night, those were definitely crazy times," he said.

"It was amazing to finally land. It was a great experience."

Quincey said he would stay in Ahipara in the Far North tonight before heading back to Auckland tomorrow.

He is now the second person to row the journey solo, following in the footsteps of his father Colin, who completed the journey in the reverse direction in 1977.

He beat his father's record by nine days, and during the course of the journey, capsized at least twice and broke two oars.

Colin Quincey said today he was both relieved and proud at his son's achievement.

He is now looking at putting out a book which might combine both his and his father's experiences.

After recovering from this task, he said he had another rowing feat planned.

"I'm looking to organise a trans-Tasman rowing race from Coffs Harbour (in New South Wales) to New Plymouth for two-person boats, possibly in 2013," he said.

"It would be similar to the Atlantic rowing race."

- NZPA