Chris Bertish

Chris Bertish is a South African big-wave surfer, ocean adventurer, author, filmmaker, philanthropist, and conservationist known for his achievements in ocean exploration, extreme sports, and environmental advocacy. Bertish was the first South African to surf the waves at Mavericks, winning the Mavericks Big Wave Invitational in some of the largest waves recorded in the sport. He competed on a limited budget, after a lengthy journey, and using borrowed equipment, outperforming top professional surfers. Bertish was also the first surfer documented paddling into Jaws in Hawaii and received the Billabong XXL award for the biggest paddle-in wave during a previous Mavericks trip.

Bertish expanded the boundaries of endurance sports by completing a solo 4,700-mile, 93-day journey from Morocco to Antigua on a standup paddleboard, setting a Guinness World Record for the first solo crossing of the Atlantic Ocean on a standup paddleboard. He later set two additional world records by becoming the first person to wing foil across any ocean, completing a 2,465-mile expedition across the Pacific Ocean to Honolulu, Hawaii. The Transpacific Wing Project aimed to raise awareness of climate change and promote ocean conservation and education.

Bertish's adventures have been chronicled in films and books. His Mavericks story was featured in the film "Ocean Driven" and the book "Stoked!" His trans-Atlantic standup paddleboard crossing was documented in the feature film "Last Known Coordinates," which was selected for multiple international film festivals and received several awards. These works highlight Bertish's role as both an athlete and a storyteller in the fields of ocean adventure and environmental conservation.

Bertish has been recognized as one of the top speakers in South Africa and selected by the Einstein Institute as one of the Genius 100 Global Visionaries. He engages audiences worldwide as a keynote speaker, focusing on topics such as ocean conservation, climate action, and pushing personal boundaries. Bertish serves as an ambassador for Operation Smile, SeaTrees, Sea Shepherd, and Conservation International, and through The Chris Bertish Foundation, supports reforestation efforts globally. His keynote presentations encourage audiences to challenge limitations and pursue ambitious goals in adventure, sustainability, and personal development.