Sure Travel Journey Vol 4.2 Autumn 2018 | Page 61

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