What would you put on the line for what you believe in?In March 2017, this question, much like a monstrous wave crashing against rocks, confronted SA surfer Chris Bertish as the reality of completing a transatlantic journey dawned.
Staff
A conceptual image of what Bertish will be crossing the Pacific Ocean on. Image: Tom Servais
Chris Bertish is about to do something that could be viewed as crazy. He’s going to cross the Pacific on a hydrofoil board with a wing. Alone. If all goes according to plan, he’ll leave the coast of California from Half Moon Bay in June, wing across the Pacific, and end up on Oahu in July. He’s estimating it’ll take him around 50 days, completely unassisted.
Bertish is an incredibly accomplished human being. He’s done more in his life than most, and he’s done those things because he simply refuses to quit. It’s an old cliché, but the saying “failure is not an option” could have first been uttered about him. He’s a champion big wave surfer, a stand-up paddle world-record holder, a waterman par excellence, an author, a motivational speaker, and a staunch environmentalist.