Chris Bertish is a professional speaker, big wave surfing Mavericks champion, stand up paddle board Guinness World Record holder, best-selling author, award-winning film director, philanthropist, conservationist, ocean pioneer and entrepreneur.
He was recently recognized as one of the Top 5 Motivational Speakers in South Africa and Top 10 in the World. Chris was selected as one of the Genius 100-Global Visionaries for the future, by the Einstein Institute, both for excellence in his disciplines and universal global positive influence, along with other fellow visionaries like, Deepak Chopra, Sir Ken Robinson and Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Sir Richard Branson and Dr. Silvia Earle.
His incredible Mavericks big wave story was developed into a globally inspiring and award-winning film, Ocean Driven, and then was launched into the #1 best-selling book-Stoked!
In 2017, Red Bull Adventure exclaimed Chris “redefined the concept of extreme adventure” when he became the first person ever to stand up paddle across any ocean. Defying all odds, he navigated 4660 mi (7500 km) solo, unsupported and unassisted for 93 days, across the Atlantic Ocean from Morocco, Africa to the Caribbean Island of Antigua. The Sup Crossing was a truly unparalleled global feat, while raising money and awareness for conservation and to help disadvantaged children in Africa, through the Lunchbox Fund and Operation Smile.
He has become renowned for his dynamic and inspiring keynote addresses delivered around the globe, which move audiences to tears and laughter, with a powerful narrative and audio-visual overload that keeps people on the edge of their seats from start to finish and leaves them inspired, impacted and moved.
Chris Bertish shifts boundaries and shatters perceptions of what’s possible, while using his voice, his stories and his adventures as a force for good and positive change. He is a Climate Neutral business, using his adventures and projects to support charities, both in the humanitarian, educational, sustainability and environmental realms, to bring about tangible positive change, while inspiring us to give back, lift others up, be better humans and discover our own greatest potential.
Chris is an Ambassador for Operation Smile, Sea Trees, Sea Shepherd and Conservation International and through his business and non-profit, The Chris Bertish Foundation, he annually plants multiple forests around the world, to be an example to others of the change we all wish to see in the world.
In early 2022 Chris and his team launched his new feature film documentary called “Last known Co-ordinates” globally, on his mind-altering, purpose driven, solo, unsupported, Trans-Atlantic Sup Crossing journey, which has already been selected for 5 x International Film Festivals and won multiple international awards.
In June / July 2022, Chris Wing Foiled, solo and unsupported, across the Pacific Ocean, from California to Hawaii, over 49 days and 2500 Nautical Miles, becoming the first person to wing foil across any ocean. A project powered by nature, for nature. All tied into the UN’s 17 global SDG’s, while raising money and creating awareness on Climate Change, Ocean Health issues and the action needed to get down to carbon net zero by 2030.
In 2023, Chris just launched his second Book “All in!” on his incredible solo Stand up Paddle journey. The new book has already graced the Best Sellers list in South Africa and Chris is currently doing a Roadshow across America, West to East, launching his new book and Speaking to and inspiring audiences across the USA.
In August 2023, Chris launched his new ALL IN!- Limited Edition Eco Series Book (only 10xbooks in the world), which is the most sustainable book ever printed. A book created as an example to the world of what’s possible.Everything Chris does is about leading by example and being the change we want to see in the world, each and every day.