Michael Walther is currently crossing the Atlantic Ocean on a stand-up paddleboard, carrying a powerful message about marine conservation. Gebrüder Weiss is supporting the project both logistically and through strategic communications.

This weekend, extreme athlete and climate advocate Michael Walther from Kiel, Germany, set off from Lagos, Portugal on his attempt to cross the Atlantic Ocean on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP). His journey will span approximately 6,000 kilometers (3,700 miles), taking him past the Canary Islands and Cape Verde before reaching French Guiana. Walther is undertaking this challenge solo and without a support vessel. His mission is to draw attention to the threats facing the oceans due to climate change and to collect valuable scientific data for marine research.

Before the journey could begin, logistics partner Gebrüder Weiss handled the transportation of the specially designed SUP board from Germany to Portugal. The company has been supporting Walther for several months and is also assisting with communications efforts to raise awareness of his mission.

“With his transatlantic crossing, Michael Walther is sending an important signal for ocean conservation. We are proud to support him as a partner and wish him strength and perseverance on his journey,” says Robert Stahlschmidt, Country Manager Air & Sea Germany at Gebrüder Weiss.

Once the crossing is complete, Gebrüder Weiss will return the paddleboard to Germany via climate-neutral sea freight. The company uses a certified insetting approach, which reduces CO2 emissions directly within the transport chain by utilizing sustainable fuels – rather than offsetting emissions through external projects.

More information about Gebrüder Weiss’s sustainability efforts can be found at https://www.gw-world.com/company/sustainability/future-of-mobility and on the company’s social media channels. Since 2021, Gebrüder Weiss has been actively supporting innovation projects in sustainable transportation, collaborating with universities, research institutions, and startups.

Fact Box – Atlantic Crossing by SUP

Route: From Portugal via the Canary Islands and Cape Verde to French Guiana
Distance: Approx. 6,000 kilometers, around 4 million paddle strokes
SUP Board: Modeled after offshore rowing boats, includes a 2 m² sleeping cabin in the bow
Equipment: 200 kg of food, life raft, medical kit, tools
Navigation: GPS, chart plotter, satellite phone, radio
Research: Hydrophone for recording marine animal sounds
Live Tracking: https://zeroemissions.eu/live

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