On 22 December 2016, Chris Bertish, internationally acclaimed Speaker, Big Wave Surfer and Guinness Stand Up Paddle (SUP) World Record Holder, set a new world record, becoming the first person to paddle across 300-miles of open ocean, unsupported and unassisted.
Paddling from mainland Morocco to the Canary Islands, Chris set the 300-mile open ocean record while embarking on the #theSupCrossing presented by Carrick Wealth, one of the greatest solo, open ocean adventures ever attempted. The SUP Crossing journey take Bertish across 4,660 miles of open ocean, traveling the equivalent of a marathon a day for over 120 days straight.
Chris commented, “I am stoked to get through this monumental stage and past the Canary Islands. More importantly, to move forward into the trans-Atlantic stage of the Sup Crossing and better conditions. Knowing that we’ve almost raised enough to build one school and to feed and make an exponential difference for so many more kids is the best Christmas present I could receive!”
7 days ago, the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge started from the Canary Islands, where teams will row more than 3000 nautical miles across the world’s second largest ocean, the Atlantic. Rowers will head west from San Sebastian in La Gomera to Nelson’s Dockyard English Harbour, Antigua.
Chris will be following the same route as he crosses the Atlantic.
There is one team from South Africa participating in the Challenge, Stuart Connacher, Charl Gale & Wayne Johnson of Team Facing It are currently leading the Pure Trio Class. Antigua is a very special place for Chris.
In the late 1990’s, Chris was a member of the Crash Test Dummies Racing Team that won Antigua Sailing Week.
Bertish departed on The SUP Crossing from Agadir in Morocco, on December 6, 2016 and began the voyage to the Canary Islands, across the Atlantic Ocean, towards the Caribbean Leeward Island of Anegada. Just months prior to Chris’ departure, the same transatlantic venture was attempted but not completed by Nicolas Jarossay, who experienced life threatening damage to his 21-foot board early in his journey.
Earlier in the week directly following his departure, Bertish broke Bart de Zwart’s world record, for the furthest distance paddled, solo and unsupported as he covered 193-miles, about 10-miles offshore.
Bertish commented “Bart de Zwart has been a great inspiration to me and even sent me a note wishing me well. I have the utmost respect for Bart as well as Nicolas Jarossay.”
The main purpose of The SUP Crossing is to leave a lasting legacy by raising funds for: The Lunchbox Fund, Operation Smile and Signature of Hope with the target of raising over one million dollars and making the entire project a completely self-sustainable charity initiative that will have a lasting legacy for generations to follow.
Bertish will also be working with, and doing research and raising ocean conservation awareness for the Two Oceans Aquarium, over the course of the crossing.
To contribute, donate and get involved, click here or to follow the journey click here.
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