ABOUT CHRIS
Chris Bertish is a Professional Speaker; Big Wave Surfing Mavericks champion; Stand Up Paddle Boarding Guinness World Record Holder and Ocean Pioneer.
He recently redefined the concept of Extreme Adventure by becoming the first person ever to Stand Up Paddle across any ocean. Defying all odds, Chris paddled 7500km – solo, unsupported and unassisted – for 93 days, across the Atlantic Ocean from Morocco, Africa to Antigua in the Caribbean. This is a truly unparalleled global feat!
By conquering this challenge, Chris showed the world that we all have the power to overcome the impossible. His philosophy is one of positive change – starting with ourselves; we can make a difference to others and the environment. This is the message Chris shares in all his talks and public appearances.
From Chris’s motivational and inspirational speaking messages to the charities he supports – it’s all focused around making the impossible, possible. In fact, everything we do at Chris Bertish- Impossible (CBI) is aimed at inspiring people to be at their best and be the change they want to see in the world.
- Chris’s recent record-breaking SUP Crossing raised millions for those who need it most.
- Chris Bertish-Impossible is a B Corp Registered Company that uses business as a force for good.
- CBI is a 1% for the Planet Registered Company. CBI also donates a percentage of all Public Speaking Fees to Foundation 93 (NPO) and other charities.
CBI is endorsed and certified by
CBI is an ambassador for
In everything he does – from breaking world records in big wave surfing to Stand Up Paddleboarding and other water based disciplines – Chris Bertish shifts boundaries and shatters perceptions of what’s possible.
His mantra – Dream It. See it. Believe It. Achieve It – has led Chris to redefine his approach to success – not only across multiple sports, but also as a respected Author, Filmmaker and Businessman.
In March 2017, Chris completed his most daring challenge yet by becoming the first person to singlehandedly cross the entire Atlantic Ocean (over 7500km) on a Stand Up Paddleboard over 93 days. In doing so, Chris dared to achieve what most perceive to be impossible.
Now he is launching his new speaking series on the SUP Crossing, starting in South Africa and touring abroad. Known to inspire, educate and motivate audiences by sharing his captivating experiences, Chris delivers a spellbinding and captivating narrative complimented by a powerful audiovisual presentation that will blow your audience away.
Engaging Chris to address your organisation is a worthwhile investment, as your team members will be inspired to adopt a “can do” attitude and implement the tools and skills he teaches through his powerful storytelling. Chris is also able to personalise any talk to reflect your company values, mission or a particular message.
When you book Chris, you will automatically be giving back to community projects, as percentage of the revenue generated by his global speaking engagements is donated through his various charity initiatives and his RAOK (Random Acts of Kindness) Projects.
Speaking Topics:
- Limitless! – The SUP Crossing Story
- I‘mPossible – The Mavericks Big Wave Story
- Achieving the Impossible through Attitude and Teamwork
- Finding your Passion and living a Life of Purpose
- Embracing Change and being prepared for anything
Messaging includes:
- Chris’s 5 P’s (Planning / Preparation / Passion / Perseverance / Purpose)
- The Psychology of Success
- Welcoming Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles
- The Value of a “Can do” Attitude and Teamwork
- There’s No Such Thing as Failure
- Focus, Adaptability and Flexibility
- Game Day / Strategy / Implementation
- Risk and Fear Management
- Embracing Change as a constant
Additional Experiences / Products / Services:
- Intimate and inspiring dinner and Q&A evening sessions (max 50 pax)
- Personalised film screening of ‘Ocean Driven – The Chris Bertish Story’ (10-70 pax venue dependent)
- Personalised SUP team building sessions – (max 30 pax) per session
- Intimate, interactive workshop (max 60 pax)
- Appearances: Social Event / Meet & Greet (2.5 hours)
- Personalised signing of Chris’s best-selling book – Stoked!
Achievements
2000 – 2013
- First person to paddle in at Jaws – 2000 [Peahi, Hawaii]
- XXL Swell.com Award – 2001 [Biggest Wave Paddled in the World]
- Red Bull Big Wave Africa – 3rd place – 2008
- Nelscott Big Wave event, Oregon, 2nd place – 2009
- First person to SUP Nelscott Reef, Oregon – 2009
- First person to SUP Dungeons – 2009
- First person to surf Seal Island – 2009
- Mavericks Big Wave Invitational Champion – 2010
[Half Moon Bay, California, Winner]
- Nelscott Big Wave event, Oregon, 2nd place – 2010
- South African Surfing Awards – 2011
[Pushing the Boundary Award]
- Big Wave World Tour, 3rd place finish – 2011
[after only surfing 3/5 events]
- Eddie Aikau Invitational Big Wave Classic, Oahu, Hawaii – 2011
- SUP World Championships, Peru, 9th place Distance – 2012
- ISA World SUP Championships, Peru, 6th place – 2013
- World first 325km unsupported/unassisted SUP up West Coast of South Africa – 2013
- Nominated for the Nightjar, South African Adventurer of – 2013
- Runner-up: Adventurer of the Year Award – 2013
[Global SUP Awards: USA]
- First Source-to-Sea: River Thames, England – 2013
[Run 20km / Paddle 243km / Cycle 42km]
- New English Channel World Record: SUP [5:26:03] – 2013
2014 – 2021
- New Open Ocean Guinness World Record: SUP 12-hour Record
[130.10km/12 hours] – 2014 - Chris launched his Film (Co-Director)-Ocean Driven-The Chris Bertish Story – 2015
- Ocean Driven has won 5 International Film Awards-Best Film/Audience Award – 2015
- New Open Ocean supported World Record: SUP 24-hour Record [131km/24 hours] – 2015
- “Adventurer of the Year Award” – 2015
[Nightjar People’s Choice] - Chris launched his book- Stoked! – 2015
[#1 Best Selling Book] - Runner up for Book of the Year Award – 2016
- First person to sail a catamaran under 15ft, solo, unsupported, Gordons Bay- Kommetjie [112km] – 2016
- New SUP Open Ocean 24hr, solo, unsupported, World Record: SUP 24 hour Record [62NM/24hr] – 2016
- First person to paddle unsupported and solo between Africa and Canary Islands- [356km] – 2016
- New Open Ocean solo, unsupported, paddle World Record [any craft under 20ft] – 2017
- First person to paddle unsupported, solo between Africa and Caribbean Islands [7560km] – 2017
- Longest solo, open ocean, unsupported, SUP World Record [7560km] – 2017
- SUP the Mag 2017 Global Expedition of the Year Award – 2017
- Global SUP Connect Man of the Year Award – 2017
- Nominee for Laureus Best Sporting Moment of the Year Award – 2017
- Selected by the Einstein Institute as on of the Top 100 Global Visionaries of the Century – 2018
- Selected as one of the Top 10 B Corp Certified organizations globally, as an example of small businesses that are using business to do good for the world – 2019
- Selected as one of the Top 5 Motivational / Inspirational Speakers in Africa – 2019
- Chris and a small team have just finished a new global educational curriculum, Ambassadors for the Planet (Endorsed by the UN) that will launch globally in 2021, with the aim of creating a more positive, solution-driven mindful and sustainable youth
- His second feature film, ‘Last Known Coordinates’ launches globally in 2021, and tells the story of his trans-Atlantic Stand up paddle journey
