Rower pumped for homecoming

Shaun Quincey. Photo / Supplied

Trans-Tasman rower Shaun Quincey was last night closing in on 90 Mile Beach - with supporters waiting at Ahipara to greet him today.

The rower gave an excited update via Twitter, saying: "Making good progress team... looking like I'll be in early tomorrow morning!"

Earlier in the day he posted: "Adrenaline and excitement has provided a much needed boost... the guns are pumping and I'm coming home!"

The arrival will end a turbulent 54-day adventure. Quincey has battled broken water machines, snapped oars and a spiralling course due to unpredictable winds and current.

The 25-year-old suffered a late scare on Thursday when his 7.3m vessel Tasman Trespasser was pulled north by an eddy and looked at risk of being swept past the top of the North Island.

But yesterday he was back on course for a Northland landing - repeating the feat of his father Colin, the first person to row across the Tasman in 1977.

A member of his ground crew, Oliver Young, said Quincey sounded positive.

"He rated himself mentally and physically nine out of 10."

Young said the ideal landing spot would be Shipwreck Bay, at Ahipara.

"Failing that, if he is further north along Ninety Mile Beach, then we encounter a whole set of problems."

Quincey's father completed the 2200km journey in the opposite direction.

Speaking yesterday from his home in Darwin, he said he was watching his son's progress closely.

"The last bit's a bit of a worry, I'm more anxious now than I've been for the whole trip."

The 64-year-old said he landed at Marcus Beach, Queensland, in similar conditions to his son's final stretch.

"I had a southeast gale blowing me into the shore and I tried to stay out overnight but didn't manage it, the currents and waves were too strong and I crash-landed about 8pm."

With no radio on the boat, he was unable to tell support crew where he was, and walked to the nearest house for help.

"Unfortunately it coincided with a prison escape locally, so they were understandably very suspicious."

When his son raised the idea of repeating the trip, he told him to go for it.

While he won't be in Northland to greet him, Colin Quincey said his son would be inundated with well-wishers.

"I think it's going to be better for me to wait for a few days and meet with him later on."

- ADDITIONAL REPORTING: NZPA