The standup paddleboard category is a crowded field, like surfing California’s Old Man’s on a Sunday. But, after extensive testing (woe is us), we managed to narrow it down to a handful of SUPs that stood out amongst the crowd. Whether you’re embracing your inner Laird Hamilton on a wave or cruising around your local lake or bay, we have what you’re looking for right here.

At a Glance

• Best Inflatable Bay Tourer:
• Most Packable:
• Best Beginner Hardboard:Ěý
• Best Inflatable River SUP:
• Best Standup Foil Board:
• How to Choose a Paddleboard
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Tester

Best Inflatable Bay Tourer

Isle Pioneer Pro

Sizes: 9’6” x 32”, 10’6” x 34”, 11’6” x 36”
Volume: 275 L, 375 L, 380L
Thickness: 6”
Weight: 20 lbs, 23 lbs, 26 lbs

Pros and Cons
⊕ Rigidity of a hard board in an inflatable
⊕ Full deck pad
⊕ Ample gear loops
⊗ Addition of carbon fiber reflected in higher price
⊗ No rails for surfing

Isle’s top-selling Pioneer SUP, available in three sizes, gets a high-performance boost for 2024 with the Pro series, which adds Infinity carbon fiber to the board’s already bomber Air-Tech construction to increase glide, rigidity, stability, and efficiency.

How it works: a six-stringer chassis (one on each rail and in the center, mirrored on the bottom) of a proprietary carbon and thermoplastic matrix gives the board, “high flexural modulus,” engineering speak for a beam’s ability to resist bending under pressure. Every time a board flexes it loses energy to the water, so this added rigidity ups the Isle Pioneer Pro’s performance, especially when combined with its six-inch drop stitch construction. But the biggest benefit: You get the glide and stiffness of a rigid board in a portable, lightweight inflatable.

Our testers took the Isle Pioneer Pro from SoCal’s Mission Bay to the salt ponds and estuaries of Rhode Island, all singing its stand-up praises. “It’s incredibly stable,” said East Coast tester Ross Singer. “I’m 200 pounds, and I was able to jump up and down on it with little deflection.”

We also tested out the Isle Pioneer Pro’s new hybrid design, letting it double as a sit-on-top kayak by attaching an inflatable seat ($125) and foot brace ($60) to its Isle-Link attachment system, which allows for endless customization. (Bonus: the breakdown paddle has an extension that turns your SUP handle into a kayak blade.) “I went over huge wakes from a 70-foot wooden yacht and stayed dry,” said tester Tim Sharp, who took it out on a choppy day on Rhode Island’s Point Judith Salt Pond. “And it tracked great in a 15-mile-per-hour wind.”

Other features include a full-coverage deck pad offering comfort and grip for the likes of yoga, pets and kids; a new better-than-bungees gear management system that lets you easily strap on gear via infinite clip-on points; and a nifty carrying handle that lays flush to the board for getting prone (as for yoga). Tech upgrade: on Mission Bay, we turned it into an e-SUP by attaching a Bixpy electric fin motor, tooling around the bay at sunset to the marvel of SoCal motorboat partiers.

Most Packable

Kokopelli Chasm-Lite Inflatable SUP

Sizes: 10’ x 30”
Volume: 290 L
Thickness: 6”
Weight: 12.9 lbs

Pros and Cons
⊕ Ultra-lightweight and packable
⊗ Less stable than other inflatable SUPs
⊗ No deck pad on the tail section

Renowned in the whitewater community for their premium packrafts, Kokopelli’s first foray into stand-up paddling is one of the lightest and most packable inflatable boards ever made. Weighing only 12.9 pounds, the board folds in half (hot-dog style) and then packs down to only 18 inches tall—roughly the size of a regular sleeping bag.

This board can be squirreled away into the tightest of spaces, used as carry-on luggage for plane travel, or hauled into the backcountry to explore remote bodies of water. It fit into a tiny nook in one tester’s Subaru Outback when it was fully loaded for a camping trip, while other inflatables didn’t stand a chance of being stuffed in.

Once pumped up, this 10-foot long, 30-inch-wide board offers a respectable paddling experience, though it makes some sacrifices in the stability department. The combination of a 10-knot wind and one-foot swell at the mouth of the Dana Point Harbor felt sketchy—plus, the lack of a deck pad on the tail did not help matters.

“This is an ideal board for an experienced user looking for a lightweight, minimalist option,” said tester Dave Shively, founding editor of SUP Magazine. “Though the minimalism comes down to the width, there’s not a lot of board.” While the board itself is spartan, Kokopelli includes everything paddlers need including a small pump, four-piece paddle, nine-inch fin, and a repair kit that easily fits inside their waterproof dry bag backpack.

Best Beginner Hardboard

Starboard GO SUP

Sizes: Available in 4 sizes from 10’2” x 29” to 12’ x 34”
Volume: 177 L to 256 L
Thickness: 4.4” to 4.8”
Weight: 23.6 lbs to 35.1 lbs
Pros and Cons
⊕ Beautiful cosmetics
⊕ Great stability
⊗ Big piece of gear to store and travel with

Just starting out? The new Go from hardshell stalwart Starboard makes a great entry level board for those wanting to paddle fast and stay dry. Available in a wide size range from the longer and faster 12-footer to the more maneuverable 10-foot-2-inch board and in a variety of layups, the Go accommodates the whole spectrum of rider weights and abilities (bigger equals wider and more stable, shorter means narrower, better tracking, and increased maneuverability).

Designed for a variety of conditions, from flat water cruising to navigating light wind and chop, its versatility comes from a classic surf shape sporting a concave bottom. A wide tail and nose provide balanced trim for efficient touring, while a deep center channel on the bottom enhances glide and stability (like a catamaran). Its steadiness is augmented by boxy rails, which also limit water flowing onto the deck, keeping feet and gear dry. And you can still step back for a quick snap turn and rely on the nose for added stability in chop. The fin box is also positioned well astern for improved tracking.

Plus, it’s easy to carry to the beach thanks to its two-in-one carry strap and paddle holder, which lets you hang the board on your shoulder and instagram your outing or sip your coffee on the way home.

Our testers took it everywhere from Michigan’s Great Lakes to Newport Beach, California, vouching for its impressive all-around performance. “Fun and stable,” said Midwest-based tester Chris Rosario, who was appreciative of its seam-welded construction that enhanced the board’s stiffness. “Great for beginners or seasoned paddlers, as well as surfers and yogis.”

Two cherries on top: First, the ASAP WS version of this board includes a windsurf-mount attachment and additional mid-fin box, so it doubles as a windsurfer with upwind control. Second, Starboard is a B-corp that buys plastic and carbon offsets for every board sold.

Best Inflatable River SUP

Hala Atcha 86

Sizes: 8’6″ x 34″
Volume: 269 L
Thickness: 6”
Weight: 22.5 lbs

Pros and Cons
⊕ Great maneuverability and surf chops
⊕ Stable in waves
⊗ Not much hull speed on the flats
⊗ Hard to reflip upright

Hitting what it calls the sweet spot where “stability-meets-surf,” Hala’s re-designed Atcha line ups the ante with its new longer, spring-loaded StompBox2 fin, beefing up responsiveness and power. The nine-inch fin, made of tough TPU, is moreĚýrigid in all directions, serving up more drive in deep water and preventing you from supermanning off the board when the going gets shallow.

Tester Davide Sartoni took it on dozens of rivers throughout the country, ranging from Class II-IV and low to high water, and was impressed by its balance of skills. “It’s easy to maneuver, has great stability, rides over waves and tracks well across current, and it surfs waves that are not too steep really well,” he said. He also credits the new, longer fin for keeping him upright and in control. “It lets you ride in shallow water, which has always been a problem of river supping,” he reported.

“It’s made to keep you upright,” echoed tester Sady Carelli. “When rocking side to side, it doesn’t flip you off. You can walk up, down, and side-to-side, giving you a chance to save yourself before plunging into the drink.”

Which brings up one demerit. “If you do swim and the board is upside down, it’s hard to flip back upright,” she remarked, crediting the nuisance to its rocker. Still, for overall river running, she concluded it’s a great choice. “It’s fun for riding small wave trains thanks to its rockered nose,” she said. The retractable fin also builds your confidence. “It’s a lifesaver,” she said. “It’s stopped me from several face plants.”

Best Standup Foil Board

KT Ginxu Dragonfly

Sizes: Available in 7 stock sizes, from 6’6” x 18” to 8’4” x 22”
Thickness: 6.5” to 7”

Pros and Cons
⊕ Quick to get up on the foil
⊕ Great stability and glide
⊗ Expensive
⊗ Carbon construction dings easily

Shaped by company namesake Keith Teboul, the Dragonfly downwind SUP foil board—new this year from Maui’s KT—is billed as the “complete downwinder.” Built for light downwind and wing foiling, it’s a performance downwind SUP whose displacement hull makes it quick to get going. The patented Ginxu step on the bottom—an indentation that helps it plane—helps lift it off the water quickly, detaching from the water in front of the foil. It also comes with a beveled tail so you don’t touch when turning.

Who better to attest to its features in these two categories than eight-time world champion Kai and his brother Ridge Lenny, both all-around watermen born and raised on the island. “Its main strength is its stability and glide that make it extremely easy to get up onto foil,” said Kai, whose longest single run was 32 miles in five- to 10-knot winds. “Its length also makes it fantastic for paddling when not on foil.”

Calling it the “best there is out there at the moment” for the category, he appreciated its foot traction—“the deck grip is nice and comfortable, not slippery, and your feet won’t fall asleep”—and its light carbon construction, which he touted as “extremely durable.” While its narrow width can make adjusting from a traditionally wide SUP design somewhat intimidating, he adds it’s great for flatwater pop-ups, small waves, and downwind swells in light to extreme winds.

Brother Ridge, who took it on a five-mile downwinder in 25- to 30-knot winds on a “side shore with good bumps” (what he calls the board’s “ideal conditions”) also sung its praises. “It makes downwind foiling more accessible,” he said.

Want to test the waters? Try learning on a bigger size first and then tone it down a notch.

How to Choose a Paddleboard

Intended Use

First, think about what you want to do with a board, as this will determine the shape and type of board you buy. Do you want to surf? Look for a shorter length and rocker to keep the nose from diving. Cruise around lakes? You’ll want a longer board for maintaining hull speed, with width equaling stability and narrowness enhancing glide. Interested in running whitewater? (Yes, it’s a thing.) You might want an inflatable board for added durability, width for stability, and rocker to ride up and over waves. Planning to race in the ocean? You’ll want a long and narrow board for speed.

Hard Board vs. Inflatable SUP

Inflatable boards are excellent for storage, transportation, and general toughness (it is very hard to put a hole in a well-constructed inflatable board). But they do come with some performance tradeoffs, especially in the surf and race departments. They’re not as fast or rigid as hardboards, compromising speed, and harder to hold an edge on a wave.

Beginner vs. Advanced SUPs

Great beginner dimensions start around eight-foot, six-inches long and at least 30 inches wide, with six inches of thickness (for inflatables) for stability. SUPs for more advanced paddlers are often narrower (depending on intended purpose), meaning better hull speed but compromising stability.

How We Test

• Number of testers:Ěý17
• Number of products tested:Ěý31
• Number of miles paddled:Ěý103-plus (ocean and river)
• Bags of chips eaten:Ěý6
• Flipflops busted: 1
• Board cannonballs: 4

To test SUPs this season, we assembled a team of expert and even not-so-expert stand-up-paddlers from Florida to California, Hood River to Hawaii, and even a few from the Rockies to weigh in on how they handle all forms of water. The group consisted of outdoor reps, shop owners, competitive athletes, and regular Joe paddlers.

Our test crew also included big names like SUP experts Spencer Lacy and Mike Tavares, and Maui-based watermen and foil aficionados Kai and Ridge Lenny. In all, we tested 23 different SUPs from a variety of categories—from rec models for easy touring to high-end foil SUPs for Hawaian downwinders—looking at everything from material and shape to stability, glide, and rigidity.

Meet Our Lead Tester

Eugene Buchanan is the 14-year publisher and editor-in-chief ofĚýPaddlerĚýmagazine and founder of PaddlingLife.com. Writing about the outdoors for more than 30 years, he’s a former ski patroller and raft and kayak guide whose passion for paddling has taken him to more than 30 countries on six continents. A longboarder when it comes to surf, he’s been a SUP connoisseur since the first inflatable was invented by C4 Waterman and his stance on them has never changed: they’re awesome (and regular, not goofy).

Jack Haworth is an avid stand-up paddler who lives in one of the sport’s meccas: Dana Point, California. With ample opportunities for both flatwater paddling and SUP surfing, Haworth put this year’s boards through a classic Southern California gauntlet. Haworth is a former editor of SUP Magazine.

The post The Best Standup Paddleboards for Cruising, Foiling, and River Running appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

No matter if you’re surfing, swimming or crushing a beach workout, the best boardies allow you to perform more naturally, comfortably, and confidently. Once you find that unequaled pair, you’ll wear them until the seams finally give out—forcing you to start the quest all over again.

We’ve been testing the newest boardshorts in and out of the water for the past two seasons. These six rose to the top of the pile.

At a Glance

• Best Performance:
• Best for Surfing:
• Quickest Drying:
• Most Versatile:
• Best Update:
• Most Comfortable:
• How to Choose the Right Boardshorts
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Tester

All gear in this guide was tested by multiple reviewers. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Best Performance

Outerknown Apex Trunks 17″ by Kelly Slater

Size Range: 28-38

Pros and Cons
⊕ High-performance fabric
⊕ Double bonded rear seams and welded inseams
⊕ Made from 95% recycled materials
⊗ Slower drying time
⊗ Pricey

The GOAT, Kelly Slater, delivered with the Outerknown Apex Trunks—the runaway winner of our test. The 17-inch-long shorts feature an ultralight four-way stretch blend of recycled polyester and spandex that offers category-leading performance and sustainability.

Stitch-free welded seams and a smooth inside fly allow you to surf and play longer without skin irritation, while the double bonded rear seam adds durability so you can keep ripping in these shorts for years to come. Laser-cut ventilation holes on the side seam allow for instant draining, while the bonded rear pocket with an Aquaguard zipper securely stows valuables—or the trunks themselves, as they pack neatly into their own pocket.

Best for Surfing

Quiksilver Highline Pro Straight

Size Range: 28-40

Pros and Cons
⊕ Airy feel
⊕ Four-way stretch fabric offers superior performance
⊕ Quick drying
⊗ Lack of pattern options

Quiksilver put over 50 years of boardshort design knowledge to good use with its Highline Pro. The 19-inch length hits above the knee, while the laser-cut hem and perforated four-way stretch fabric blend of polyester and elastane provides a lightweight feel and maximum mobility during critical maneuvers.

The performance fly cinches together for a secure fit, while the welded outseam and taped bar-tacks further enhance overall comfort. The water repellant coating keeps drying times under 30 minutes, and the zippered rear pocket is perfect for stashing a key or cash for coastal happy hour.

Quickest Drying

Hurley Phantom-Eco One and Only Solid 18”

Size Range: 26-44

Pros and Cons
⊕ Quickest dry time of the test
⊕ Good value
⊗ Non-welded seams

A solid all-around boardshort, the Phantom-Eco One and Only blends sustainability and performance. Featuring an 18-inch length and an 86-percent recycled polyester and spandex blend, these shorts allowed for freedom of movement in the water and on the beach. We weren’t as impressed with the non-welded seams or velcro rear pocket, but the water repellant coating worked well by reducing drying time to less than 20 minutes.

Most Versatile

Roark Passage Primo

Size Range: 28-40

Pros and Cons
⊕ Stylish, slim fit
⊕ Quick drying time
⊗ Lackluster pattern options

Meet our go-to trunk for summer: the Passage Primo features a comfortable, slim fit and an 18-inch length, while a fabric blend of spandex and recycled polyester doesn’t restrict movements while surfing or beach running. Welded inseams minimized chafe and maximized stretch while a water-repellent fabric coating kept drying times to less than 20 minutes, making it easy to hit the cantina after leaving the sand. Plus, a vertical waterproof zip pocket on the right leg came in handy for stashing cash or cards.

Best Update

Quiksilver Original Scallop 18”

Size Range: 28-40

Pros and Cons
⊕ Stylish throwback look
⊕ Hydrophobic coating effectively repels water
⊗ Less stretch than other shorts we tested

The makers of the original scallop hem boardshort in 1971, Quiksilver created this now-iconic design to allow for greater movement while surfing. More than 50 years later, the brand has revived the legend with the Original Scallop, sewing in a few upgrades for the modern-day waterman while keeping the classic look.

Most notably, the new poly-elastane-cotton fabric blend offers new-school comfort with four-way stretch, which is great for surfing, swimming, or beach volleyball. A hydrophobic coating effectively repelled water from soaking the fabric, which led to sub-30 minute dry times. Good news: The new tech didn’t replace its old-school style, which was faithfully recreated with contrast stitching and a patch featuring the company’s original logo.

Most Comfortable

O’Neill Hyperfreak Hydro Tech 19″

Size Range: 28-40

Pros and Cons
⊕ Streamlined fit with a no-bulk closure system
⊕ Fabric blend allows for unrestricted movement
⊗ Small pocket adds slight bulk on right leg
⊗ Slower dry time compared to others we tested

O’Neill’s patented hook and loop Velcro closure system eliminates a bulky drawstring and delivers a streamlined fit that lays flat against your skin. That, combined with no inseam, a laser-cut hem, and four-way stretch fabric, meant we could surf longer with fewer restrictions. The polyester-elastane fabric blend coated with a water repellant treatment took less than an hour to dry, while a small welded zip pocket on the right leg was helpful for stashing wax or keys.

How to Choose the Right Boardshorts

A boardshort purchase may seem simple enough, but anyone who’s had their surf trip ruined by serious chafing or lost their trunks to a set wave would advise you to take your shopping seriously. Here are key things to consider:

Fit

The fit of your trunks depends on what you plan to do in them. If they’ll mostly be used for surfing, you need a tighter, more secure fit that won’t get pulled off by the waves. Many surf-oriented boardshorts are also a little longer to help protect your legs from the sun and rubbing on the board.

However, if you’re just going to hang on the beach and take the occasional dip, lifestyle shorts can be a little looser and shorter.

Fabric Choices

It’s also important to consider fabric choices, as this impacts both sustainability and overall performance. Recycled polyester is a good option for eco-conscious surfers, but you’ll want to ensure it’s blended with elastane or spandex to get that high-performance stretch you’ll need in the water. While not as important as the fabric blend, a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating can keep fabric from sticking to your skin and usually results in faster dry times.

Other Features

Most trunks have a pocket, but check for a key loop and a secure closure system. Trust us, losing your key to the bottom of the sea is a sure-fire way to ruin your day.

Where to Buy

Buying direct from the brand’s website is the easiest way to get your favorite boardies, as you’ll typically find more size and color options available. While it’s tough to beat the convenience of the internet, we’d still encourage you to support your local surf shop. Not to mention, trying on boardshorts in-store ensures you’ll score the ideal fit and won’t have to hassle with returns.

How We Test

• Number of Testers: 5
• Number of Boardshorts Tested: 18
• Number of Waves Surfed: 215
• Number of Miles Swam: 4
• Number of Miles Ran: 8
• Chafe Incidents: 6

We wore each pair of boardshorts for a dedicated three-hour session that included surfing, a quick beach workout, and then laying out to test dry times (we know, it’s a tough gig). After putting each pair through this initial stress test, we rotate them through various individual activities such as surfing, swimming, standup paddling, and beach running to see how they held up.

While in the past we gave some consideration to style, this year’s testing process focused on performance. We honed in on options that allowed us to move freely, dry quickly, not chafe during longer sessions, and showed very few signs of wear and tear—even after getting blasted into the sand a few times. The options that made the final cut emerged (mostly) unscathed.

Meet Our Lead Tester

Jack Haworth is an avid standup paddler and surfer who lives in Dana Point, California. With ample opportunities for surfing, paddling, swimming and beach running, Haworth put the boardshorts through a classic Southern California wringer. Ryan Jonnson, an avid surfer, fitness enthusiast, and entrepreneur based in Laguna Niguel, California, assisted him.

The post The Best Boardshorts for Surfing, Swimming, and Beyond appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

In mid-July, a massive southerly swell pounded Hawaii with once-in-a-decade waves that prompted some surfers to label it the best of all time. Aboard his custom-built survival craft, surfer and ocean adventurer Chris Bertish got an up-close view of the heaving ocean.Ěý

Bertish was in the final stretch of his , a historic 2,465-mile solo crossing from California to Hawaii in a small survival craft powered by a handheld wing. He was rounding the island of Molokai, in the final stretch of his voyage, when he encountered the most radical ocean conditions of his life.Ěý

“I was taking off down waves on a craft that wasn’t meant to surf, and I was going like 16-18 knots,” Bertish said. “At one point the craft broached (an abrupt change in course) when I was inside the cabin, causing me to hit my head, concuss myself and start bleeding.”Ěý

Inside his 20-foot craft, called the ImpiFish, Bertish pushed on across the Molokai channel to Oahu in waves that were even bigger than those he experienced that day. The terrifying journey was an appropriate final leg of what had been a punishing test of skill and nerve. He had crossed 2,400 miles of open ocean from California to Hawaii in just over 48 days.Ěý

Bertish already has a long history of weathering high seas. The 48-year old South African vaulted onto the international surfing stage in 2010 when he won California’s famed Maverick’s International big-wave tournament. Bertish surfed 50-foot waves on a borrowed board to win the event.Ěý

Then, seven years later, Bertish again generated international acclaim for recordingĚýthe first-ever crossing of the Atlantic aboard a stand-up paddleboard. His 4,050-mile journey from Morocco to the island of Antigua took 93 days to complete, and he did it aboard the ImpiFish, a custom-built SUP designed by naval architect Phil Morrison and inspired by elements of open-ocean rowboats. At four feet wide, 20 feet long, and 1,350 pounds unloaded, it took four months to build and cost nearly $100,000.Ěý

Bertish says that expedition was a valuable stepping stone for his biggest project yet, the Trans-Pacific wing voyage.Ěý

“People forget when something’s never been done before, you’re pioneering and having to create new systems,” said Bertish. “I was able to apply all the knowledge and insights I learned from the transatlantic crossing to upscale, upgrade, and remedy my ImpiFish, enabling me to deal with the new challenges I faced in the Pacific.”

The Pacific crossing from California to Hawaii is notoriously one of the most difficult in the world—particularly for small vessels like the ImpiFish. To date, sea kayaker Ed Gillett is the only person to successfully paddle across in a kayak, a 1987 crossing that took 63 death-defying days—recounted in harrowing detail in Dave Shively’s gripping book, . Others have tried, sometimes suffering tragic fates. In 2020, Paralympic rower Angela Madsen died while attempting to cross the Pacific on her rowboatĚýRow of Life, a project that was supposed to inspire others and produce a documentary film.Ěý

Currently, Frenchman Cyril Derreumaux is amid his quest to become the second solo kayaker to make the crossing. In late July, for the fastest four-rower team in the Great Pacific Race—an annual 2400-mile rowing race from California to Hawaii.

A wing-foil is an entirely different craft with an entirely different set of challenges. Bertish first attempted the crossing last year, but an electrical malfunction forced him back to shore after completing only 212 miles. To put into perspective just how new wing foiling is, Bertish’s failed attempt last year was still enough to claim a world record for longest distance traveled on a wing-foil, solo and unsupported.

In preparation for his wing-powered voyage, Bertish had to upgrade the ImpiFish craft. He added a series of metal foils to the side and bottom of the craft to increase its speed and stability in the water. He also added various apparatus and harnesses to help secure him to both the vessel and his handheld wing, which he used to power through the surf.Ěý

​​“I had eight wings that were built specifically for this journey by Armstrong,” said Bertish. “They were Carbon Mylar-reinforced and ranged in size from 5.5 meters down to 1.25 meters. There’s not even a training wing that exists on the planet that’s 1.25, but I used it all the time.”

But those upgrades couldn’t prepare Bertish for some of the challenges he faced on the high seas. He departed Santa Cruz, California on May 31st and immediately found himself amid cold, foggy, and overcast conditions. The miserable weather lasted for the first three weeks of the journey, slowing his progress as Bertish inched towards better conditions created by the trade winds.Ěý

Bertish spent roughly 12 hours a day “winging”—an enormously challenging task requiring him to balance on the deck of the ImpiFish while contracting and tweaking a handheld wing to catch wind and propel his craft forward. When Bertish wasn’t winging, repairing his craft, or catching a couple hours of rest, he managed to send out several social media updates with .

Bertish also endured a series of technical calamities that nearly ended his journey. During his time at sea, he battled countless systems failures, nearly lost all communications, and narrowly avoided serious injury during multiple falls—including one that took out his VHF radio antennae only three days into the trip.

At one point, his —an underwater generator that uses a propeller to produce energy and recharge the craft’s battery banks—began to separate the base plate off the transom and cause a leak into the stern of his craft, where all his main electronic systems were located.

“If I hadn’t checked and just went another night with that issue in place, it would’ve flooded my back compartment without me even knowing,” said Bertish. “Then that would have shorted all of my systems and I probably would have sunk.”

Bertish found the issue during his daily maintenance check and after a quick repair job—using an emergency underwater epoxy repair kit—he averted disaster.

Not everything went wrong. His food situation was “like cordon bleu compared to the transatlantic.” He lived for two months on a backpacker’s diet consisting of nuts, dried fruit, supplements, and freeze-dried meals that had to be prepared inside his tiny cabin.

“When you’re in a cabin as wide as your shoulders and the craft is getting bashed around by waves, it’s challenging to hold a Jet Boil with a live flame and pour boiling water into a pouch,” he said. “Fortunately, I’ve been doing this for quite a long time.”

Nothing comes easy on the high seas but reaching the trade winds put the wind at his back. Bertish tied off his wing like an “inverted Spinnaker” and managed to enjoy a few days of hands-free winging. It would prove to be the calm before the storm, the punishing southerly swell served up a daunting final test once he reached the Hawaiian Islands. Bertish leaned on his most valuable asset to navigate this perilous final leg—a lifetime of experience in heavy ocean conditions.ĚýĚý

Once he finally docked at the Hawaii Yacht Club in Honolulu on July 17th—after spending 48 days, 15 hours, and 15 minutes at sea—he didn’t stay on land for long.

“About three hours after I landed, I managed to go out and get a couple waves with Jamie Mitchell at one of the outside reefs. That was pretty epic.”

Following the massive accomplishment, Bertish’s work is only just beginning. The Trans-Pacific Wing Project was dedicated to raising both money and awareness for ocean conservation, with proceeds from the journey going to ,, , and .

“I had several very scary situations that I encountered on my journey, but the most terrifying thing I saw was the amount of plastic pollution.”

Bertish said he only saw five fish, compared to 67 pieces of floating plastic debris. The contrast was shocking, and it inspired him to release an in hopes of raising awareness of an ocean pollution problem growing by the day.

“When all you’re seeing is ocean pollution, in a place where people would expect the ocean to be in its most pure and abundant state, that’s terrifying.”

He’ll be taking that message on the road to support his new book coming out——which recounts his transatlantic expedition experience. The book is slated to hit bookshelves in January here in the States, with South Africa seeing a November release. At the end of his tour, Bertish plans on auctioning off the ImpiFish at the Miami Boat Show next April.

The ImpiFish may be headed towards a much-deserved retirement, but Bertish is already well underway with planning his biggest expedition yet: , aĚýsailing expedition around the world that will raise awareness for ocean education, conservation, and sustainability. The project is inspired by the United Nation’s

“It will start at the end of 2025,” said Bertish. “It will go around the world and will probably be five to eight times bigger than all of the other projects I’ve done, put together.”

While many of the details are under wraps, one thing is certain—Bertish will push the boundaries of human endurance and willpower, yet again.ĚýĚýĚý

The post Chris Bertish Fought Through Raucous Waves and a Head Injury on His Historic Trans-Pacific Trek appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Patagonia Stretch Hydropeak Gerry Lopez ($79)

At 4.7 ounces, these minimalist shorts offer an ultralight option for the surfing vag­a­bond. A durable water-repellent coating ex­pedites the drying process, while the formfitting waistband keeps sand out during beach-break pound-downs.Ěý

Vuori Sonic Seamless ($94)

These seven-inch-inseam boardies are unobtrusive when hunting barrels, running sprints, or walking around town. Laser-cut ventilation holes on the inner thigh keep things cool during beach workouts, seamless construction reduces chafing, and the flat drawstring lays comfortably against your stomach when you’re paddling out.

Saxx Cannonball 2N1 ($75)

These lightweight trunks guard against skin-on-skin friction in critical areas for all-day comfort. Credit goes to the breathable mesh liner and a hammock-shaped pouch that keeps the boys in place. The 2N1 comes in stylish prints and has two deep front pockets for stashing cervezas or your phone.Ěý

O’Neill Hyperfreak Hydro ($100)

The best boardshorts are the ones you forget you’re wearing. The Hyperfreak Hydro ditches the drawstring in favor of a Velcro closure, has welded inseams and laser-cut hems, and is made from a stretchy poly-elastane blend for unrestricted movement during runs and steep takeoffs.Ěý

Howler Brothers Buchannon ($59)

Hard-wearing beach britches with a retro vibe, the Buchanan delivers multi-­activity comfort, with tough polyester-spandex construction that doesn’t cling to your legs. There’s no need to change out of them once the cantina calls. We dig the two deep front pockets and the one in back for carrying post-surf burritos.Ěý

Outerknown Woolaroo ($125)

Made from 100 percent wool, the Woolaroo goes easy on the environment. The vintage feel grows with each paddle, surf, and lounge session, thanks to naturally breathable merino that gets softer the more you wear it. Plus, they just look classy.

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