ZERO EMISSION PROJECT Atlantic Crossing

All photos © Zero Emissions

We all know Michael Walther from boot Düsseldorf. He has been organizing the program in surf hall 17 for years and is an important point of contact for the concerns and requests of exhibitors and athletes. Even though we have never seen Micha on a SUP world ranking list, he is one of the pioneers of the German SUP sport. The Kiel native has been involved since the very beginning and has already completed several ultra-long-distance SUP expeditions. Micha is also an experienced sailor and feels at home on the open sea.

However, what Micha is now planning is beyond the imagination of many mere mortals – only a few have dared or even managed it: he wants to cross the Atlantic on a SUP.
The first thing that caught our eye was his unusual route: he plans to paddle from Portugal towards the Cape Verde Islands.

Micha is currently in the intensive preparation phase, in which he is taking care of both the equipment and his physical fitness.
We were able to reach him in writing and by phone and spoke to him about what is probably the biggest project of his life.

Aloha Micha, thank you very much for your time. So you have decided to paddle from Portugal to South America this year. RESPECT! That’s a huge bite.

Let’s start from the beginning: How did the idea come about and perhaps even more interestingly how did you get from the idea to the point where you said to yourself: I’m going to do this, I can do it?

The idea of crossing the Atlantic on a SUP has developed over many years. I’ve been on the water since I was a child – sailing, paddling, surfing. At some point, the thought occurred to me: what is actually possible if you really set off?

My main aim with this journey is to show that we can only achieve a sustainable and climate-neutral future if we start now – step by step, or in my case: paddle stroke by paddle stroke. Even if the goal still seems a long way off, it is achievable if we move consistently and decisively. The Atlantic crossing is therefore not only a sporting adventure, but also a symbol that change is possible – if we get started.

As far as my experience is concerned: I’m well-positioned in the sea – many years of offshore sailing, intensive SUP tours, navigation, weather, safety. The sea is my element and I know what I’m getting myself into.

You are doing the whole thing under the patronage of ZERO EMISSONS. Can you tell us more about it? Who is in your team, how do you finance yourselves, etc.?

The “board” was first used as an off-shore rowing boat and is now being repurposed. | 📸 Zeor Emissions

The project is called “Zero Emission”, and there is a clear message behind it: we need to set off now – paddle stroke by paddle stroke – towards a sustainable and climate-neutral future. Even if the goal still seems a long way off, we will only reach it if we start today. This journey is emblematic of precisely this path: slow, consistent, with setbacks, but always moving forward.

I will cover the distance without an engine, without sails and without an accompanying boat – using only muscle power. That is the central idea behind Zero Emission: to show what is possible when you focus on the essentials.

In the background, there is a small, dedicated team of around five people who support me in various areas – from technology and media work to logistics. A lot of it is done on a voluntary basis. The larger costs – mainly equipment, security systems and logistics – are covered by sponsors. Without them, the project would not be possible in this form. But there is no question of making money – this is a project of the heart.

When I saw your route, I found it very interesting that you first paddle from the south of Portugal to the Canary Islands and then to Cape Verde. You could ask 1000 questions about that. I don’t even know where to start. Perhaps first of all: are you planning rest breaks on the respective island groups?

No, no stopovers are planned. Although the route passes geographically close to the Canary Islands and Cape Verde, I plan to paddle the entire route in one go – without going ashore.

In many graphical representations, it looks as if I will stop there, simply because I pass quite close to the islands. This is a deliberate choice – not to take breaks, but as a precaution: if there are technical problems, health difficulties or unusual weather conditions, I theoretically have the option of stopping there. But the actual idea is to complete the trip without stopping.

I also found the route interesting because an “official” Atlantic crossing usually starts in the Canary Islands or Cape Verde. However, your route is 50% to Cape Verde first and the actual crossing is then “only” the home stretch.

Yes, that’s true – many people start their Atlantic crossing from the Canary Islands or Cape Verde. But I made a conscious decision to start in Portugal. My background as a trained lawyer also plays a part in this – I might be a bit pedantic, but it’s important to me that when I cross the Atlantic, I’m really paddling from one continent to another and not from one island to the next.

The first section is technically the bigger challenge. The weather conditions are less stable, the coast is still relatively close, and that means you have to react to the conditions more often. But for me, this section is an integral part of the journey, not just as a sporting challenge, but also as a symbolic transition – from Europe to the ocean, from one continent to the next. For me, it’s not about choosing the easiest route, but about experiencing the journey in its entirety.

What interests me here are the weather conditions. The trade winds will help you cross, but what about the first part of the route? What are the challenges and conditions you need to be blown in the right direction?

Micha prepares everything in great detail. “The board is my life insurance.”

In the first part of the route, from Portugal to Cape Verde, the weather conditions are definitely more challenging. The trade winds only really come into play further south, near the Canary Islands and Cape Verde. Before that, the weather is more volatile, with periods of calm and shifting currents. It will therefore require a mixture of patience and adaptability to keep the right direction.

There will be moments when the wind doesn’t blow in the right direction or currents slow me down. It won’t always be easy, but that’s part of the challenge. As with working towards a climate-neutral future, we have to persevere in the face of such setbacks and not be discouraged. It’s about continuously and persistently working towards our goal – even if progress is sometimes slower than we had hoped. In the end, what counts is that we don’t give up.

Now to the equipment. I was lucky enough to meet Chris Bertish 2 years ago after he sailed from the SUP mainland to Hawaii with a wing. I’m sure you recognize the name. Chris was the first person to cross the Atlantic standing up a good 10 years ago. The thing that stuck with me most two years ago was all the systems that were built into the hull and that each system was installed 2 – 3 times in case one failed. That’s what I thought was so amazing: all the batteries, water systems, communications, etc. Why don’t you tell us something about what you have installed and how many back-up systems you have.

Yes, Chris Bertish is a great inspiration for me. Like him, I have also installed several backup systems to be on the safe side. I have redundant systems for communication, water treatment, energy supply and emergency power. If one fails, there is always a backup option so that I remain capable of acting even in difficult situations. Safety is my top priority.

What about contingency plans, I’m sure you have to think through each scenario 5 times and have a plan 3 times?

Absolutely, contingency plans are crucial. I have thought through various scenarios, from technical failures to health emergencies. There is a clear plan for every situation and I have several communication channels to get help quickly if the worst comes to the worst. I also have emergency equipment on board to take care of myself if I’m on my own. It’s about being prepared for anything, but also staying flexible in case something unforeseen happens.

Wow, you really have to be prepared for everything. Chris said in our interview back then that he had more material stress in the hull due to the faster progress and discovered a crack in the stern and if he hadn’t checked everything every day, the hull would have filled up with water. So my question is: how do you prepare for the worst-case scenario?

When you plan a tour like this, you naturally have to think about a worst-case scenario. My board is therefore equipped like a Vendée Globe yacht: I have several PLBs and EPIRBS with me and can call for help via radio and satellite. I have a total of 8 emergency channels at my disposal. If the worst comes to the worst, I also have a life raft, which I only use if the board sinks and can no longer be rescued. Last but not least, I also have a special survival suit that SECUMAR makes especially for me. This is a model that is normally worn by the crews of sea rescuers or special teams from the police or the German armed forces. Probably the most important point is that I always have to be connected to my board as long as it is buoyant. The board is my life insurance.

Micha on a test drive. | 📸 Zero Emissions

You will spend a few weeks floating Mother Souls alone on the Atlantic on a watercraft that is barely as big as a double bed. How do you feel about the whole mental challenge?

The mental challenge is definitely one of the biggest. I know that there will be moments when it will be extremely lonely and difficult. But that’s also part of the journey: coming to terms with myself and my own thoughts. I have learned to find calm and composure, even in difficult situations. And it helps me to keep my focus on the big goal – step by step. The feeling of getting closer to the goal with every paddle stroke is very motivating and keeps me positive.

What about food, water can be treated, but what is there to eat?

I have almost exclusively freeze-dried food on board as well as other food that is very dry. Liquid is the only requirement I can create for myself during the trip, so I avoid anything that contains even the smallest amount of liquid – such as gels. The limited space on the boat requires very careful planning to ensure I have all the nutrients I need without taking up the limited space unnecessarily.

Well then, bon appétit. How long will the food last?

The plan is that the food will last for 100 days.

Wow, that’s more than 3 months.

That’s right, you have to plan meticulously.

Wow, we at Stand Up Magazine are really looking forward to accompanying the whole thing medially and following you. Tell us briefly: When exactly are you going to start? You probably have a tracker where we can see where you are every day. Where can we access the data?

There will be a live trackeron my website at www.zeroemissions.eu right at the start, which you can use to follow me. Thank you for the nice chat, Mike!

Thank you very much and we look forward to following you and even more when we can interview you again after a successful mission.

Info about the expedition:

It should start around September 15th. Don’t worry about Micha – he will be accompanied by a small team who will be in constant contact with him. He will also provide us with regular content directly from the sea. He is equipped with radio and a satellite phone – in other words, everything he needs to stay connected to the world.

The company Secumar is even providing him with a specially made survival suit, and thanks to a tracker we will be able to follow his route live.
With Stand Up Magazine, we are staying as close as possible to Micha and are already looking forward to when he arrives in French Guiana – and even more so when we can shake his hand in person at boot 2026.

If you are more interested in this topic, check out our interview with Chris Bertish. Chris was the first person to cross the Atlantic on a SUP. Two years ago he crossed the Pacific from California to Hawaii on a wing.

We met him a few days after his arrival in Honolulu.