This episode’s guest is Chris Bertish, a South African big-wave surfer, trans-Atlantic paddle boarder, speaker, and author.
Among his many accomplishments, he won the 2010 Mavericks Big Wave Invitational surfing contest. He almost died that day, but he didn’t let that minor detail stop him.
In 2017 he completed a solo 4,700 mile, 93-day journey from Morocco to Antigua on a standup paddle board. This set a Guinness World Record for the first solo crossing of the Atlantic Ocean on a standup paddle board.
This episode is all about working your way up to big goals, conquering your fears, and never giving up.

Map of Chris’s journey across the Atlantic Ocean:

Chris Bertish's journey across the Atlantic

Millions of people are experiencing isolation because of the coronavirus. In this podcast, you’ll learn what it takes to survive 93 days of isolation on a standup paddleboard in the Atlantic Ocean.

By the way, do you know why it’s unwise to catch and eat fish as you’re paddling across the Atlantic? Keep listening to learn why this is true.

A few explanatory notes:

Bertish refers to “Jeff” several times in the interview. This would be Jeff Clark, the person who discovered Mavericks and surfed it alone for years.

A school of dorado fish escorted Bertish. Dorado is another name for mahi-mahi. They are typically 15 to 30 pounds and three feet in length.

A leash is a long cord that surfers wrap around their ankle or calf at one end and connected to their surfboard or paddleboard on the other end.

Buckle your seat belts because you’re about to learn what it takes to win Mavericks and paddle across the Atlantic Ocean.

In this episode of Remarkable People, you’ll be inspired and awed by Chris Bertish.
Click here to download to listen and don’t forget to subscribe!

CB-2010 Mavericks-Big-Wave

Photo Credit: Frank Quirarte

Question of the week!

This week’s question is:

Question: What fear has been holding you back? Click To Tweet

Use the #remarkablepeople hashtag to join the conversation!

Where to subscribe: Apple Podcast | Google Podcasts

Follow Remarkable People Guest, Chris Bertish

Chris is a global inspirational speaker, best-selling author of Stoked!, ocean advocate and pioneer, now living in California.

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I hope this episode empowers you to go out and push through your fears. My fear is a six-foot wave, and I promised Bertish I’d push through that. 

My thanks to Jeff Sieh and Peg Fitzpatrick who helped me push through my fear of podcasting. Mahalo also to Neil “Mikimoto” Pearlberg for introducing me to Chris. 

Here’s one more story from the Atlantic crossing. Wrap your mind around being pulled through waves by a gigantic squid. 

Chris Bertish: Tackling Life Head-on with Big Dreams and Maverick Waves