The ocean has had pretty bad PR as of late. With the submarine implosion and the orcas attacking boats, people are taking these events as signs that humans need to get out of the water. Yet, over a dozen boats are rowing across the Pacific Ocean in a race for charity. 

The Worlds Toughest Row started on June 12 in Monterrey, California and the nearly 60-day event at sea will end in Kauai, Hawaii.  Each team is rowing for a charity and some have documented their race on social media.

So far boats have encountered and nearly hit cargo ships, broken oars, and hit rough weather.

@worldstoughestrow Too close Rowing from Monterey, California to Kaua’i, Hawaii #rowing #rowingtok #extremesports #ocean #fyp #survival ♬ Water (feat. Clara La San) - Bicep

@worldstoughestrow when the rowing gets tough, the tough get rowing #rowing #oceanrowing #rowingtiktok #extremesports #ocean #survival ♬ cardigan - Taylor Swift

One TikTok creator, Arielle Schmitt (@schmittly) has been posting updates using The World’s Toughest Row’s online tracker.

@schmittly Replying to @Weeny99 follow @World’s Toughest Row for some very cool footage at sea. Ocean rowing day 9, 14:00 UTC. #oceanrowing #endurancesports #extremesports #worldrecord #womenathletes #millennial ♬ original sound - Arielle Schmitt

The underlying question from most commenters is “Why?”

“They better be careful the water spirits not playing with people lately,” comments one user.

@schmittly Replying to @Bobby97 ocean rowing day 14 of the @World’s Toughest Row Team Ocean Warrior have experienced a number of knockdowns (near capsize), broken, three ores, and are still in second place. #oceanrowing #extremesports #worldrecord #pacificocean #millennial #capsize #rowrowrowyourboat #atsea ♬ original sound - Arielle Schmitt

Yet, there's a team of New Zealander rowers called Kiwi Fondue that is absolutely crushing this race. Their boat, which has the yellow symbol on the online tracker, has been the lead for the majority of the race. You gotta bet on yellow!