Lia Ditton | Shafkat Anowar

Rower Lia Ditton floats on the water on October 1, 2020 in Lanikai, HI. The 40-year-old professional sailor broke a women’s world record time after she arrived at the Waikiki Yacht Club on Saturday, Sept. 12.

In a time of isolation, Lia Ditton spent 86 days alone at sea

In early October 2020, I was commissioned by San Francisco Chronicle to photograph record-breaking Rower Lia Ditton who previously spent 86 days at sea rowing from San Francisco to Hawai’i.

The 40-year-old professional sailor broke a women’s world record time after she arrived at the Waikiki Yacht Club on Saturday, Sept. 12.

Written by Lia Ditton; Photographed by Shafkat Anowar

View Story on sfchronicle.com

Rower Lia Ditton poses for a portrait showing her armpit hair on October 1, 2020 in Lanikai Beach, Kailua, HI. To her, the hair is a symbol of rowing in the sea for 86 days.

Rower Lia Ditton sits looks out to the ocean sitting in a stagnant coconut tree timber on October 1, 2020 in Lanikai Beach, Kailua, HI.

Rower Lia Ditton poses for a portrait on October 1, 2020 in Lanikai Beach, Kailua, HI.

Rower Ditton gets into the water on October 1, 2020 in Lanikai Beach, Kailua, HI.

Rower Lia Ditton enjoys her time floating in the water on October 1, 2020 in Lanikai Beach, Kailua, HI. Rower Ditton, previously finished her journey in 86 days, 10 hours, five minutes and 56 seconds to break Roz Savage’s 2008 record of 100 days.

Rower Lia Ditton enjoys her time floating in the water on October 1, 2020 in Lanikai Beach, Kailua, HI. Rower Ditton rowed solo from San Francisco starting on June 12, finally reached Hawai‘i on Saturday, Sept. 12, creating a new world record.