Chris Bertish
Chris Bertish is a South African surfer, stand-up paddleboarder, adventurer and motivational speaker. He is best known for remarkable feats on open water, particularly his record-setting solo crossing of the Atlantic Ocean on a stand-up paddleboard.
Chris started his career surfing and gained recognition in 2010 when he won the Mavericks Big Wave Surf contest in California, one of the most prestigious big wave surfing competitions in the world. His most notable achievement came in 2017 when he completed a solo, unassisted crossing of the Atlantic Ocean on a custom-built stand-up paddleboard over 93 days.
The trip covered over 4,050 nautical miles from Agadir, Morocco to English Harbour, Antigua. His specially designed board was equipped with a tiny cabin for sleeping and storage for food and water. Beyond his sporting achievements, Chris is known for his inspirational speaking and philanthropy.
His "Be Prepared to be Inspired" talk has been presented at numerous venues and events and he has also used his athletic pursuits to raise funds for charitable causes including children's hospitals, schools and organizations that provide meals for underprivileged children. Through his motivational speaking, adventures and philanthropy, Chris aims to inspire people to believe in themselves and overcome the seemingly impossible challenges they may face.