SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — After previously setting two world records, Chris Bertish is setting off on his next adventure as he attempts to be the first person to sail in an open beach catamaran from San Diego to Oahu, Hawaii.
South African adventurer Chris Bertish set sail from Mission Bay in San Diego on Tuesday on a three-week journey using wind and current to cross the Pacific Ocean in an open 20 ft. beach catamaran, by himself, with no stops — “TransCat Expedition 2025 – Oceans Without Borders.”
Bertish is a 2010 Mavericks Big Wave Surfing Champion, and in 2017, became the first and only person to stand-up paddle across the Atlantic Ocean, unsupported and by himself, in 93 days from Morocco to Antigua. He also was the first person to wing foil across the Pacific Ocean from Santa Cruz, California to Honolulu, Hawaii, by himself and unsupported in 2022.
Now in 2025, he will be traveling 2,800 nautical miles to Oahu, Hawaii, aboard “The Wildcat” — a beach catamaran that is open, with no cabin, powered solely by wind and solar energy.
Track Bertish in real-time as he crosses the Pacific Ocean online at transcatexpedition.com.
The trip is expected to take nearly three weeks, around 17 to 21 days.
Bertish will be exposed to the elements full time as there is no cabin, enduring constant sun exposure, cold, the risk of storms, and solitude without a support team or chase vessel.
“This will be my most extreme expedition yet,” said Bertish. “There’s no shelter from the sun, wind, or waves. If the catamaran capsizes, I’ll have to right it myself.”
Through the expedition, Bertish aims to raise money for ocean conservation, education, people, and the planet.
“This journey pushes the boundaries of what’s possible when passion, purpose, and perseverance come together,” said Bertish. “Our planet and future generations deserve bold action—for our oceans, our climate, and our communities.”
The TransCat Expedition 2025 supports the following global initiatives:
- Building a circular economy classroom for a school in Kenya (July–November 2025)
- Funding ocean education programs through SAAMBRA and the 2 Oceans Education Foundation in South Africa
- Supporting mobile ocean aquarium outreach for Nine Miles Project, Waves for Change, and the Sentinel Alliance
- Planting 1,000+ trees in North America (via SeaTrees) and 3,000+ trees in Africa (via the World Forest Initiative)
- Contributing to coral reef restoration in Hanauma Bay, Hawaii, through SeaTrees
“This expedition is not just about breaking records,” said Bertish. “It’s about inspiring collective action. When we protect our oceans, we protect all life on this planet.”
You can follow his progress which will be tracked live through a GPS Tracker & Starlink Sat Communications. Bertish will also be making live ocean video updates daily. Follow his real-time progress online at chrisbertish.com/project/transcat-expedition-2025.
Dan Plante contributed to this report
