Shaun Quincey

By Alastair Bull of NZPA

Auckland, March 14 NZPA - Shaun Quincey says he's feeling remarkably good after finishing his 53-day trans-Tasman rowing ordeal today.

Quincey touched down on Ninety Mile Beach today, swimming the last 300m to shore and arriving about 12.30pm.

He became the second person to row the 2200km journey solo, following in the footsteps of his father Colin, who completed the journey in the reverse direction in 63 days in 1977.

"I lost 17 kilograms on the journey but I'm feeling good with some beer and chips in me," the 25-year-old Aucklander told NZPA this evening.

"I'm finding it quite hard to walk at the moment after that much time sitting in a confined space, and I'm a bit sunburnt and trying to get used to open spaces again, but generally it's pretty good."

Quincey began the journey in his 7.3m boat Tasman Trespasser from New South Wales on January 20.

The straight line distance across the Tasman is 2200km but winds and currents meant he travelled much further.

"I went around 3900km in the end," he said.

"But, with the relatively light weight of me and the boat, currents and waves were always going to take me in different directions some times.

"I knew it wasn't goint to be a straight trip."

Quincey said the row proved to be a memorable one.

"Crashing into a sperm whale was pretty incredible, as was flipping in the middle of the ocean at 11pm at night, those were definitely crazy times," he said.

"It was amazing to finally land. It was a great experience."

Quincey said he would stay in Ahipara in the Far North tonight before heading back to Auckland tomorrow.

After recovering from this task, he said he had another rowing feat planned.

"I'm looking to organise a trans-Tasman rowing race from Coffs Harbour (in New South Wales) to New Plymouth for two-person boats, possibly in 2013," he said.

"It would be similar to the Atlantic rowing race."

A crowd of about 500 greeted Quincey as he landed.