How One Fit Mom’s Obsession with Fitness Turned Into a Mission to Rescue Our Dying Oceans—And Why You Need to Know Now

Ever caught yourself wondering what on earth you’d be doing five years down the line? Well, Shelby Davoren sure didn’t see herself gearing up to row across the Pacific Ocean with three best pals—none with an ounce of rowing experience—gripping oars, snacks in tow, hearts full of grit. A supermom juggling two energetic kiddos, a Pilates pro, a SCUBA enthusiast, and a dog mama to boot, Shelby’s latest adventure with Team Rising Tide is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Facing a brutal 2,800-plus mile sweep from California straight to Hawaii, powered by sheer will and endless heartbeats, her journey began not amid ocean swells but on solid ground—right in Kailua, O‘ahu—during a pandemic, while very pregnant and craving a simple reason to escape indoors. It’s the kind of story that makes you rethink what’s possible when life throws a curveball or two… Ready to dive in? LEARN MORE

If someone had told Shelby Davoren a few years ago that she’d be training to row across the Pacific Ocean with three of her best friends—none of whom had ever rowed a boat before—she probably would’ve laughed and then immediately asked, “Wait, do I still get to bring snacks?”

But here we are.

Shelby is a mom of two (Quinn, 4, and Madison, 2.5), a dog mom to Hecate and Calypso, a Pilates instructor, a SCUBA diver, and now, a member of Team Rising Tide, a group of ocean-loving adventurers preparing to take on the World’s Toughest Row Pacific in 2027—a grueling, 2,800+ mile journey from California to Hawaii, powered by nothing but oars, grit, and a whole lot of heart.

But this story doesn’t start in the middle of the ocean. It starts on land, in Kailua, O‘ahu, during a pandemic, with a very pregnant Shelby looking for a reason to get out of the house.