South African Big Wave Surfer and Guinness SUP World Record Holder, Chris Bertish, has completed the first, solo, unsupported Transatlantic SUP Crossing.

Bertish set off on the greatest ocean adventure ever attempted from the coast of Morocco on 6 December 2016 and traversed 4 050 nm/7 500 km, paddling 1 944 000 strokes across the Atlantic Ocean for 93 days, to reach the finish in English Harbour, Antigua.

Bertish paddled to the English Harbour shores to receive a hero’s welcome and flotilla on the water to guide and encourage him to the finish line. Chris’ own brothers, locals and project supporters from around the globe turned out to watch the dramatic arrival take place.

As the nearly 20’ specialised SUP craft, the ImpiFish, shoved to shore for the first time in three months, after much cheering, hugging and tears of joy, Chris commented, “If you truly believe in yourself and persevere, anything is possible, and here we are.

After over three months solo on the open ocean, I am here, on land again with friends and family – my feelings of accomplishment and extreme gratitude for everyone that made this incredible journey possible are beyond words”.

The SUP Crossing will continue raising funds for several charitable organisations, including The Lunchbox Fund, Operation Smile and Signature of Hope. Bertish personally committed to funding one operation for a child in Africa through Operation Smile for every world record he achieved on this epic Transatlantic journey.

And he achieved many of them, including a new world record for a 24-hour solo unsupported and unassisted open ocean distance SUP. – Source: www.news24.co.za