Bela Evers-Kapoor, the first Indian-origin woman to row across the Pacific, on fear and faith

UK-born Indian Bela Evers-Kapoor, an ocean rowing athlete, made history this year by becoming the first woman of Indian descent ever to successfully row across the Pacific Ocean. Evers-Kapoor was a key member of the Dutch Ocean Rowing Team 'GROHE Team Ocean', which embarked on a 39-day, 2,133 nautical mile journey from Monterey Bay, California, to Kauai, Hawaii, departing 30 May and arriving 8 July, 2025. Evers-Kapoor was the only woman on a crew of three on the trip, during which the team faced brutal conditions, including towering 30-foot waves and sustained winds of up to 40 knots, testing both their physical limits and mental fortitude. Evers-Kapoor is an accomplished endurance athlete of Indian descent, born in UK and now based in The Netherlands. Previously, in 2020, she crossed the Atlantic Ocean in a team of four women, making her now the only Indian woman to have rowed both oceans. She’s also a mother of three, and grandmother of one. She spoke to eShe TV’s Palak Malik on her return. Here is the complete interview. Read more on www.eshe.in and follow us for more conversations with inspiring women.