AUTUMN 2018 // TOUCHDOWN
knows the answer. In March 2017, Bertish became
(SUP) – braving sharks, six-metre-high waves, 40-knot
SURE TRAVEL JOURNEY: You’ve set
numerous world records, won one of the
biggest surf contests on the planet and
paddled 7 500km solo across the Atlantic
Ocean from Morocco to Antigua on
your SUP. What gives you this seemingly
insatiable drive for adventure?
criss-crosses the globe as an author, motivational
MAN
for a purpose, this epic adventurer sets the bar high.
CHRIS BERTISH: I like to test myself physically and
mentally on a regular basis. I push the limits of
what’s possible, live with the courage to follow my
passions and hopefully inspire others to believe in
themselves as well. Nothing is impossible unless
you believe it to be – I’ve learned to do things that
most people think aren’t humanly possible.
Before your Atlantic Crossing, you were big
into surfing – what is one of your proudest
moments in that sport?
Winning the Mavericks Big Wave Invitational in the
USA in 2010, during the biggest paddle-in surf in
the history of the sport. I trained for 10 years to
get invited to the event and it required intense
focus and perseverance. When it was finally time
to go I had a gruelling 40-hour flight where all my
equipment was lost in transit. Rather than throw
in the towel, I surfed on borrowed equipment and
ended up winning the competition. It taught me to
never discount the underdog.
What’s your mantra when others around
you think you’re crazy for pursuing these
lofty dreams?
Life is all about choices. Anybody can go out and
achieve anything they want. Create your own
adventure, no matter how big or small – and that
applies, quite literally, to travel, too. You just have
to make a choice and have the courage to follow it
through. Nothing great in life comes easy.
You’ve said in the past that you’re
motivated to do what you do out of an
“attitude of gratitude”. Can you tell us more
about your charity and non-profit work?
GET
INVOLVED
To read more about
Chris’ next adventure,
get a copy of his book
Stoked!, or donate to the
various causes he supports
via his website, www.
chrisbertish.com.
I’ve always wanted to be a good role model and
show people that they can do whatever they
set their minds to. My trip across the Atlantic
raised funds for the Lunchbox Fund (providing
meals for disadvantaged learners) and Operation
Smile (providing life-changing operations for
children born with a cleft palette or cleft lip).
I’m also an ambassador for many climate change
and ocean campaigns, including Two Oceans
Aquarium’s turtle rehabilitation and ocean
education programme and the 9Miles Surf Project
mentorship programme, among others.
MAKE MEMORIES FOR LIFE // 61