As you strike out for the far shore, partner by your side, rowing through the waves you will encounter difficulty.
When your partner jumps out, taking their oar with them because they are tired of the journey, you can keep rowing, but it will just spin you around in a lopsided parody of progress.

At this point, you need to consider: do you go on alone (becoming your own partner), wait for your partner to rejoin you (conserve your energy), or jump in the water and swim around (say fuck it.)