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Former Maverick’s Big-Wave Winner, Chris Bertish, begins a solo sup tale like no other.

Big Wave Surfer and Guinness Sup World Record Holder, Chris Bertish launched off the Northwest coast of Africa in Morocco to embark on the first ever solo, unsupported, full length, Transatlantic Sup Crossing. The groundbreaking expedition, #theSupCrossing, will see Bertish travel unsupported and unassisted, on a custom-made 20-foot long stand up paddle craft, for four straight months across the Atlantic Ocean, all in support of charity.

Dubbed, the greatest solo, open ocean adventure ever attempted, Bertish departed from Agadir in Morocco, this morning, after completing the final craft testing, preparations and awaiting the right weather window to launch. Starting off on the Northwest coast of Africa in Morocco, he began the voyage to the Canary Islands, across the Atlantic Ocean 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 paddle across 4,600-miles of open ocean. The pace he has set for himself is about 38 miles per day, unassisted. It is the equivalent of running a marathon every day in order to reach the Florida coastline in the 120-day trajectory he has set for himself.

Bertish’s craft is a standup paddle board with an enclosure at the front that will allow him some protection and sleeping quarters. Bertish spent a significant amount of time co-designing this world’s first, Transatlantic standup paddle craft, which was specifically designed for this crossing. He took his experience from countless prior world record attempts and achievements, as well as his knowledge from sailing and big wave experience to create a completely unique craft, designed specifically for one goal, to cross the Atlantic Ocean.

“This incredible journey which is going to change the lives of millions of children in Africa is what will keep driving and inspiring me right till the end,” said Bertish this morning.



An Ocean of Hope



The charities to benefit from this transatlantic solo sup crossing include organizations to assist South African children with cleft palates, provide food/nutrition for youngsters in need and monies provided for the building of schools.

The main purpose of the crossing is to raise 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 self-sustainable charitable initiative that will have a lasting legacy for generations to follow.

Bertish will also be working with, doing research and raising ocean conservation awareness for the Two Oceans Aquarium over the course of the journey.

You can follow Chris’ journey (literally) across the Atlantic by clicking on his LIVE tracker from his website.

Stay tuned for MORE updates on Bertish’s journey HERE at StandupJournal.com