Bertish ready for Atlantic paddle
AGADIR: Chris Bertish, internationally acclaimed South African Big Wave surfer and Guinness SUP World Record Holder, launched off the northwest coast of Africa in Morocco yesterday in the greatest solo open ocean adventure ever attempted – to paddle across the Atlantic.
Bertish is taking advantage of his experience on countless earlier world record attempts and achievements, as well as knowledge from his sailing and big wave ocean experience, coupled with elements from his record-breaking, open ocean SUP’s and the Transatlantic row boat crafts.
This has resulted in the building of a unique craft, designed specifically to cross the Atlantic Ocean.
His voyage will take him to the Canary Islands, towards the Caribbean Leeward Island of Anegada, before finally ending the journey in Florida.
After six months of building the craft, months of intense training and preparation and five years of stringent planning, Bertish will use his wealth of knowledge and experience to paddle across 7 500km of open ocean, doing the equivalent of a marathon a day for over 120 days straight.
The main purpose is to leave a legacy by raising funds for The Lunchbox Fund, Operation Smile and Signature of Hope with the target of raising R20 million and making a self-sustainable charity initiative for generations to follow.
He will also be working with, and doing research and raising ocean conservation awareness for the Two Oceans Aquarium. – ANA