'Impossible isn’t a word…it’s a challenge!'
Big Wave Surfer, Guinness SUP World Record Holder and adventurer, Chris Bertish's next project is:
The first ever, solo, open ocean, Stand Up Paddle across the North Atlantic Ocean, from Morroco to the America's. Chris will be paddling a marathon a day, for almost four months straight and raise enough money for Operation Smile, The Lunchbox Fund and Signature of Hope, that will change the lives of millions for years to come!
I believe in two things...
1. Nothing is impossible unless you believe it to be.
2. If you inspire people to believe in themselves and what's possible, you can change the world!
I am attempting the first ever, solo, Trans-Atlantic Stand-up Paddleboard Crossing at the end of the year. It will consist of paddling a marathon every day for approx 120 days, over 4,500 miles (7,500 km) to show the world what's possible, one stroke at a time, while giving back and changing the lives of millions.
Beginning on the northwest coast of Africa in Morocco, I will begin the voyage to the Canary Islands, across the Atlantic Ocean, towards the Caribbean Leeward Islands, before finally ending the journey on the shores of Northern Florida. I will be constantly battling the ever-changing currents, elements, weather, creatures of the deep, fatigue, exhaustion and the unknown, while also using the predominant trade winds and currents to my advantage.
I have partnered with an incredible corporate sponsor- Carrick Wealth, who with my help and that of their huge corporate client base, have pledged millions of dollars for this project.
These funds will be used to do the following:
Why I need your help
I believe in the project so much that I have put in my own money to make this project happen, over and above signing surety on my home. I've come too far to turn back now even though the project is $25,000 USD short. So we need your help to raise this shortfall...If we are fortunate enough to raise more than the $25,000 USD needed, the excess funds will go towards the charitable annuities.
As you can imagine, the scale of this project is immense and complex. The equipment necessary to build a craft worthy enough of this world first undertaking, is immense and incredibly expensive, as it's never been done or a craft like this has never been designed or built before. The craft also includes high-tech satellite communications, radar, AIG, GPS Tracking, VHF transmitters, radio communication systems, not to mention travel, PR, filming/ supplies, and other team operational costs.
Hope
I believe in a world where EVERY child has the opportunity to grow and prosper, where nourishment, education, and healthcare are available to them, and giving them hope for a brighter tomorrow.
All these children need is to find the one reason they can. You can make this their reason.
Ways You Can Help
Here are a few ways in which you can make a difference in these children's lives:
Contribute!
A great place to start is to contribute and get one of my many thank you gifts for being involved and helping.
To thank you for your generosity and kindness, I want to give you a gift of personal gratitude and few more extras depending on your level of contribution.
To make a difference in a child's life, simply choose your contribution level on the right column (under PERKS) and we will send you your gift a few weeks after the campaign ends. Some of the larger perks will be fulfilled during and after the completion of The SUP Crossing as noted in the perk description.
Share!
Even if you're unable to contribute any money, you can still help by telling your friends, family and loved one's about this awesome life changing project. Share it on social media and where ever you can, that all helps. Help us get the word out there any way you can...and together we can change the lives of millions, generations to come and together, leave a legacy!
Let's show the world what's possible... let's do this!
About the Lunchbox Fund
Feed a Child Nourish a Mind.Children who don’t have enough to eat cannot work towards a proper education. Without a proper education, their future prospects are severely limited.
Our simple intervention provides a behavioural incentive for children to attend school, as well as an economic incentive for their impoverished and/or unemployed caretakers to keep them there.
We provide a rotating menu of nutritionally fortified foods that are delicious and familiar to the children. Each meal provides the child with a full RDA of macro and micro-nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
Almost 60% of South African children live in poverty.
That’s almost 12m below the poverty line and in need of nutritional support.
26% of the children suffer from stunting due to malnutrition.
3.6m of them are AIDS orphans.
The SUP Crossing will establish an annuity fund that will provide a monthly dividend to feed between 20,000- 30,000 children every month for generations.
Learn more about The Lunchbox Fund.
About Operation Smile
We dream of a world where no child suffers from a lack of access to safe surgery.
Suffering, tormented and rejected, even by those who are supposed to love them most … children around the world born with cleft lips and cleft palates have been waiting their whole lives for our help.
Every 3 minutes, a child somewhere in the world is born with a cleft lip and cleft palate, and are often unable to eat, speak, socialize or smile.
One in 10 of children born with a cleft will die before their first birthday.
Approximately one in every 750 babies in Africa is born with a cleft lip or cleft palate.
A cleft lip or cleft palate operation and follow up care costs approximately $345 USD.
In as little as 45 minutes, one cleft lip surgery can change a child's life forever.
The SUP Crossing will establish an annuity fund that will provide a monthly dividend to pay for life-changing cleft lip and palate surgeries, every 3-5days, for children born with this facial deformity, through Operation Smile.
Learn more about Operation Smile.
About Signature of Hope
Empower people, building communities, changing lives.
The Signature of Hope Trust was initiated by 4 goal driven achievers who all share a vision of ‘giving back’ and initiating projects that will empower people.
Signature is a trusted, verified and approved NPO focused on providing Hope – something that implies a better future and improved circumstances, goals each Trustee is proud to be associated with.
Our focus is on equipping and empowering not just individuals, but whole communities to rise above their individual hardships and reach their full potential. At the same time we seek to build relationships between people, nature, and animals; preserving and improving our natural environment in the process.
The SUP Crossing will build at least five schools in some of the poorest regions of South Africa, where there is no money for education, through Signature of Hope.
Learn more about Signature of Hope Trust.
About Two Oceans Aquarium
Abundant and Healthy Oceans for life – and in simple terms – Saving our Oceans is our real mission.
There are so may aspects to achieve this, and education and conservation forms the absolute core of this.
Two Oceans Aquarium could not have been joined by a more passionate, ocean driven ambassador than the ultimate waterman, big wave surfer and SUP world-record holder Chris Bertish. The blue world that Chris wants to conserve, not just for amazing creatures such as sea turtles, but also for our future generations.
The Education Centre’s vision (within that of the Aquarium) is connecting a wide audience with nature, nurturing ambassadors with integrity and empathy, by promoting environmental conservation through exciting experiential learning.
The SUP Crossing will integrate my journey into the classroom. Students will come along with me on my adventure and I will give live weekly classes on the creatures I've seen, the litter and pollution in the sea and how far I have traveled, in comparison to the Loggerhead sea turtle that also follow the same route that I will be paddling.
Learn more about Two Oceans Aquarium
About Chris Bertish
Breathe it, See it, Believe it, Achieve it!
That’s the motto I live by, and I want to inspire people from all walks of life to reach for their own goals and dreams and achieve things they never thought possible.
I am a motivational speaker, big wave surfer, author, sup pioneer, and waterman.
I am not a full-time professional athlete; I am a regular working guy. This means I have had to balance my ambitions and giving back with working a couple different professions to pay the bills, like many of us.
I have never had big sponsorships to follow my dreams, I've had to do it the hard way...what ever it would take, running my own small business, speaking all over the world, while trying to juggle training and the work life balance. There were plenty of opportunities to get despondent and give up along this journey, but I never have and never did...and because of this its left us with a pretty unique story. If you never give up and never give in, you stay focused, determined and persevere, you will always succeed!
Attitude has a lot to do with it. In my world, there is no such thing as ‘can’t’.
If you truly believe in something, set your sights on your goal – no matter how big – work hard at it, stay focused, take daily steps and actions towards making it a reality and never give up, you can achieve anything.
Please join me on this amazing journey and lets change the world together and leave a legacy!
Learn more about Chris Bertish-Impossible.
Get to know more about me at Chris Bertish YouTube Channel.
Check out Chris' SUP World Record Story that leads to the here and now:
World Record 1st Attempt
World Record 2nd Attempt
World Record 3rd Attempt-Success!
The Team
For the past 5 years, I have devoted every spare moment to the planning of every detail of this massive project. In the last few months, I have assembled an amazing team to support this incredible and massive adventure. The team I have assembled to help me put this massive project together, span three different countries, South Africa, UK and the USA. With this team and the craft we are building for this astounding journey, I have 100% confidence, feel secure and at ease, knowing we have taken care of every detail, in order to make this project a huge success and profoundly change the lives of millions of people, forever.
Even though a lot of what I use to do surfing big waves is very individual, I've learned a great deal over the last 5 years with the SUP Expeditions, that you can only achieve these feats and survive to tell the tale with a great, reliable and professional team behind you and I am very fortunate to have the best team anyone could ever ask for...The Dream Team -Chris Bertish
The Dream Team:
Justin Maree-Project Manager
Darren Robertson-Finance and Back-up Shore Crew
David Becker-Attorney
Mandy Scanlen-Commercial Consultant
Nick Maunder-Shore Based Crew
Craig Kolesky-Shore Based Crew
Richard Simmonds-Influencer Social Media
Kirsti Lyall-PR Manager
Amy Wentzel-PR Account Manager
Ashley Eckenweiler- PR and Media USA
Sarah Shoup-Sponsorship and USA Management
Lynne Nel-Physcian
Jeff Ayliffe-Radio Media
Elke Brink-Product Sponsorship Craft
Jef Jones-Website Development
Tayo Kopfer-Website Development
Adrian Charles-Fixer Films
Jordi Giralt- Film Crew and Content Generation
Your Questions, Answered
Why the $25,000.00 USD goal?This is NOT my real goal, of course. $25,000.00 is the minimum I need to make this happen. Anything above the $25,000.00 goal will go towards a contingency fund to cover any unexpected expenses. After that additional dollar received by this campaign will be added to the millions dollars received from corporate sponsorship and helping us to bring hope to many more children.
How much from this campaign actually goes to charity?
The corporate sponsorship for the annuities is guaranteed. You are contributing to the SUP Crossing. With the exception of IndieGoGo/PayPal fees, every dollar goes towards the building if the craft, satellite, and GPS equipment, tactical support, travel and other operational expenses. As mentioned in the previous question, any excess will first go to a contingency fund and after that, every dollar will be added to the Corporate Sponsorship amount of $30m. Imagine the possibilities!
Will you update me on the progress of the project?Of course!
The IndieGoGo website will be updated with progress reports before the crossing. Once the crossing is underway, be sure to follow my progress through my website and social media outlets.
What payment methods do you accept?The campaign will accept PayPal and major credit cards.
Can I donate from anywhere in the world?Absolutely!
When will I get my gift?As soon as the campaign is over - and no later than the end of September 2016.
Is shipping included in the perks?Yes.
I have another question...
Please post any question as a comment (see the comments tab in the top menu), and I will respond as soon as I can.