Trans Tasman rower Shaun Quincey is having some deep and meaningful talks with whales as he nears the end of his 2200km row across the Tasman.
Quincey is expected to land on the west coast of the North Island on Sunday or Monday depending on winds in the next few
days.
On his website earlier today he said he rowed until 11pm yesterday and had drifted well since he stopped for the night.
Rowing conditions were also very good at first light today.
Last night he also had a brief encounter with a whale.
"Pretty slow day, saw a whale. We talked about feelings then he left," Quincey said.
On Tuesday he woke to a pod of dolphins playing around his boat Tasman Trespasser II.
Quincey left Australia on January 20 intending to become the first man to row the Tasman solo from Australia to New Zealand.
In 1977 his father Colin Quincey became the first man to row solo from New Zealand to Australia.
This crossing has not been without drama, as he has recently capsized at least twice, broke two oars and almost ran out of fresh water after his desalination plant broke down.
He was dropped fresh water and a newspaper by a fixed wing aircraft from New Zealand last week.
Yesterday, his 50th day at sea, he cleaned the hull of his boat for the last time before landing but said he was expecting strong winds on the final stretch to the New Zealand coast.
He also said he began seeing rubbish floating on the sea surface which was "strangely comforting".
Quincey is raising funds for Surf Life Saving New Zealand.
- NZPA
