Rowing: Pam Dickson sets her second Cook Strait record

Rotorua's Pam Dickson during her journey across the Cook Strait on Friday. Photo/Supplied

Rotorua's Pam Dickson has taken on the Cook Strait and won, setting a record for rowing both ways across the strait.

Dickson became the first person to row both ways across the Cook Strait on Friday, leaving the North Island at 8am and returning just before 4pm.

She said it was a great feeling to accomplish her goal after a challenging day on the water.

The 60-year-old fell into the water four times while crossing the strait and her hands were bleeding for most of the trip, after pulling on the oars for so long.

"I had fallen in three times going across to the South Island and had only had one energy gel, some Powerade and a bit of water," she said.

"The toughest part really was at the South Island when I did have those low bits with lack of food and thinking technically it was beyond me. But that was the low part."

She said her support team, led by Philip Rush, encouraged her to keep going and after eating some food she powered back through the Cook Strait.

"Leaving the South Island, the further I got, the more determined I got."

She said the tide on the way back was pushing against the side of the small rowing boat, making it extremely hard. "I was wrenching on the left oar all the way."

Dickson also holds the record as the oldest woman to swim across the Cook Strait, a feat she achieved five years ago at age 55.

"I am absolutely thrilled that I got there and achieved both ways and I remember all of it [this time]. I don't remember the last 8km of the swim."

Interestingly, Dickson has been only rowing for 11 months after going to the Rotorua Rowing Club for lessons.

She said a special moment in the small boat on Friday was when dolphins started swimming underneath her and jumping out of the water.

She left from Makara Beach, near Wellington, travelled to Marlborough's Perano Head then returned to Oteranga Bay.

Dickson returned home on Sunday and is already back to work as a masseuse.