More than 600 kilometers in one week: Michael Walther on a SUP Atlantic expedition
For the past week, extreme sportsman and climate activist Michael Walther has been on one of the most spectacular undertakings of his career: crossing the Atlantic on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP). Starting from Lagos in Portugal, he spends up to 15 hours a day on his offshore board, which is only six meters long – using muscle power alone, against the wind, waves and currents. His destination: French Guiana, around 6,000 kilometers away.
Even the first few days on the open sea were tough. Immediately after the start, Walther was surprised by “rustic weather conditions” that forced him to sleep in his survival suit. However, the strong wind also had something good – it pushed him a little further without him having to paddle. At times, he reached top speeds of more than eight knots. After seven days, he has already covered over 600 kilometers and is currently at the height of Marrakesh in Morocco.
However, the expedition not only brings with it the forces of nature, but also human challenges. Off the Strait of Gibraltar, Walther had to change course twice to avoid collisions with large cargo ships. “I’m normally quite good at judging how fast the ships are going and where they’re heading. But there was one thing I’ve never seen like this before – I really had to do everything I could to get out of the way quickly,” he says via satellite link.
Crossing the Atlantic on a SUP is one of the most extreme challenges ever attempted. Three months of complete self-sufficiency without a motor, kite or outside help – for Walther, this mission is not just a sporting adventure, but also a powerful symbol. “Wind and currents can cause me to stray from my goal despite the hard work. Those are the moments when you doubt. But that’s exactly what shows how difficult change can be – and that perseverance is the only way,” he says.
In addition to the sporting dimension, Walther is also making a contribution to science. During his rest periods, he uses a hydrophone that records underwater noises and sends the data directly to the Alfred Wegener Institute in Bremerhaven. In this way, he combines sporting extremes with valuable research work.
To make this project possible, Walther relies on a specially developed SUP that not only offers space for food, but also for safety and navigation equipment. He is also supported by strong partners such as VILSA-BRUNNEN, SEIKO, Gebrüder Weiss, boot Düsseldorf, Sports for Future e.V. and the Paulchen Esperanza Foundation.
The Atlantic expedition is part of the Zero Emissions Initiative, which Walther co-founded in 2008. The aim of the movement is to inspire people for environmental and climate protection through extraordinary actions. In the past, Walther has already provided impetus with projects such as a climate-neutral circumnavigation of Schleswig-Holstein or a SUP crossing of Germany. He also draws attention to his mission in the film industry: the Greenland expedition resulted in the award-winning film The Great Route, and in May 2025, another documentary, Time to Act, which was made in Iceland, was released in cinemas.
With his latest journey, Michael Walther is writing another chapter in his unique combination of extreme sport and climate protection. After a week and more than 600 kilometers, he shows how much courage, endurance and passion it takes to push boundaries – both on the ocean and in people’s minds.
Editor’s note: If we had the budget, we would report live on Micha’s arrival in South America.
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