Ocean pioneer’s epic 93-day solo journey at sea
SHIFTING boundaries is what legendary ocean pioneer Chris Bertish does on a daily basis.
Originally from Cape Town, Bertish has served as an ambassador for positive ocean and climate change with his projects and expeditions through his Us-based non-profit organisation, The Chris Bertish Foundation.
In his latest book, All In!, Bertish details his brave undertaking which saw him spend 93 days alone at sea, crossing the Atlantic Ocean unsupported, 7 500km from Morocco to Antigua, all the while paddling a modified stand-up paddle (SUP) craft.
“This is an intimate account of my battles through epic storms, equipment failures, shark encounters, injuries, leaks and loneliness, in my quest to test the limits of what is truly possible.
“The book underscores my mantra that nothing is impossible, and highlights my mission to use my unusual skill set to raise money for Africa’s impoverished children and pay for hundreds of cleft palate operations through Operation Smile.
“I also plant mangrove forests and raise awareness on ocean health/ocean conservation and inspire us all to be better versions of ourselves and live our best lives and greatest potential,” he said.
Bertish, who is also a speaker, surfer and conservationist, shared the details of his world-first, solo, stand-up paddle, trans-atlantic crossing adventure with audiences at the Durban Surf Lifesaving Club yesterday.
There was also a film screening Bertish’s latest film, Last Known Coordinates.
Over the years, Bertish has achieved multiple SUP world records – and Guinness World Records – as well as surfing giant, four-storey-high waves, winning the Mavericks Big Wave Invitational in California, an XXL Paddle Award, and multiple Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitations.
After winning the Mavericks, Bertish announced his next conquest would be an attempt to become the first person to stand-up paddle-board across the Atlantic, from Africa to North America, completely solo and unsupported.
Putting his life and everything else on the line, he set out from Morocco with 95 days’ worth of food and a solar-powered desalinator to turn seawater into drinking water.
“Conservation is a very big part of everything I do because we protect what we love and I love the ocean and nature. They have given me the most incredible stories and have also been my greatest teachers and school in life.
“I’ve learnt more from experiences in the ocean than I have in any university or anything I’ve done in my life,” he said.
Bertish explained that he set out to saddle-paddle across the Atlantic because he believed he could, even though everyone said it was impossible.
“We’ve been able to pay for operations, for kids to go to school and have a lunch box, and raise awareness of ocean conservation. When you have a positive ‘why’ it will push you to overcome any obstacle.
“My belief (that) nothing is impossible comes from a very deep core value where all my life I was told what was impossible and people telling me what I could and couldn’t do.
“I believe no one has the ability to tell you what you can and cannot do. You’re the only one who can decide what is possible for yourself and create the limitations for yourself. You never know how far you can go until you try,” he said.
Working alongside Bertish for many years is Maryke Musson, executive for the South African Association for Marine Biological Research.
She said: “We’ve done work highlighting certain species including sharks and sea turtles. Chris has supported a lot of sea turtle work which involves a lot of rescue, rehabilitation and release.
“When he did his Atlantic crossing, we followed him the same way we track a turtle, and we had a virtual turtle and said ‘the race is on, who’s going to win?’ First the turtle was ahead, but Chris caught up and it took him about 93 days to cross from one side to the other,” said Musson.