South African adventurer Chris Bertish embarks on record-breaking pacific crossing
Image: Supplied
SOUTH African adventurer and ocean advocate Chris Bertish set sail from Mission Bay in San Diego today on what he calls one of the boldest solo ocean crossings ever attempted. He is undertaking a 2,800-nautical-mile journey to Hawaii on a production beach catamaran with no cabin, and powered solely by wind and solar energy.
Bertish is navigating the Pacific Ocean solo and unsupported aboard a 20-foot catamaran, modified for extreme offshore conditions. The vessel offers no protection from sun, wind, or rain, exposing him fully to the elements for the estimated three-week voyage to Oahu, Hawaii.
'Every test, every challenge, every storm I've weathered in preparation has brought me here,' said Bertish. 'This isn't just about crossing an ocean. It's about crossing the boundaries of what's possible for people, for the planet, and for future generations.'
Over the past two months, Bertish conducted extensive sea trials and safety testing on the vessel to prepare for the journey. The expedition, titled TransCat Expedition 2025: Oceans Without Borders, aims to highlight environmental and educational causes through a partnership with impact organisation Wild Impact.
The mission includes planting 6,000 trees across Africa and North America to offset carbon emissions, supporting coral reef restoration in Hawaii's Hanauma Bay, funding a sustainable education facility in Kenya, and hosting live-streamed educational sessions for over one million students worldwide.
'Everything we do in this life should ripple outward,' Bertish said. 'This expedition is my ripple; to raise awareness for ocean conservation, to empower education, and to prove that one person can still make a massive difference.'
Bertish is known for previous endurance feats, including a solo transatlantic stand-up paddleboard crossing in 2017 and a solo wing-foil journey from California to Hawaii in 2021. His ventures have raised millions in support of sustainability and youth initiatives.
Now at sea, Bertish continues his mission to test human endurance and amplify global change from one of the planet's most unforgiving environments.
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