Adventure for climate protection: Michael Walther plans to cross the Atlantic on a SUP
We all know Micha Walther from the boat and have followed many of his adventures. Now he is preparing for the biggest adventure of his life. The environmental activist and extreme sportsman wants to cross the Atlantic next fall on a specially developed stand-up paddleboard – alone, without external support, and with a clear message: climate protection requires determination and perseverance.
The planned route is from Portugal to South America, around 6,000 kilometers across the ocean. For this project, Walther will use an offshore SUP that is around six meters long and offers space for food as well as safety and navigation technology. The journey is expected to take around 90 days.
“The road is long – just like the path to a sustainable future,” says Walther. “But we have to start now, with consistency and perseverance. We can no longer afford to lose time.”
Setting an example – for the environment and science
Walther sees his Atlantic mission not only as a sporting challenge, but also as a symbol of his willingness to take on long-term and complex tasks such as climate change. At the same time, he wants to make a direct contribution to research with his project: during his rest periods, he will use a hydrophone to record underwater noises, which will be transmitted to the Alfred Wegener Institute in Bremerhaven via satellite connection and scientifically analyzed there.
The mental strain during the crossing will be enormous, says Walther. Weeks of isolation, barely visible progress and the constant influence of wind and current are among the biggest challenges. “Sometimes I am driven backwards despite all my efforts – enduring that requires a lot of mental strength.”
Zero emissions: raising awareness with special projects
The Atlantic crossing is part of his long-standing commitment to environmental protection. In 2008, Walther founded the “Zero Emissions” project, with which he has been drawing attention to climate change through extraordinary campaigns ever since. In 2020, for example, he traveled climate-neutrally through Schleswig-Holstein, followed two years later by a COâ‚‚-free tour throughout Germany.
With the Atlantic project, he wants to show how important it is to think – and go – in new directions. His message: borderline experiences like these can make people think – and inspire them to act.
The source of this article is the Kieler Nachrichten.
If you are interested in the subject, we had an interview with Chris Bertish when he arrived in Hawaii after his Pacific Crossing. Endeavors like this are taking humans strength and gear to the extreme.
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