German SUP paddler abandons Atlantic crossing
After 29 days on the Atlantic, 39-year-old Kiel resident Michael Walther has abandoned his attempt to cross the ocean on a stand-up paddleboard due to strong winds and currents. He set off from Dakar, Senegal, on June 22, aiming for Cayenne in French Guiana. Walther was rescued by a ship and is now heading to the Canary Islands.
Michael Walther, a 39-year-old adventurer from Kiel, aimed to become the first German to cross the Atlantic on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP). The approximately 4,800-kilometer route started on June 22, 2024, in Dakar, Senegal, with the destination Cayenne in French Guiana. After 29 days of paddling, he was forced to abandon the effort on July 21.
The decision came due to persistent strong winds and opposing currents that hindered his progress. Walther had covered over 1,000 kilometers when he requested rescue by the bulk carrier 'Nordic Highway.' The vessel took him aboard and is transporting him to Las Palmas in the Canary Islands, where he is expected to arrive in the coming days.
“I gave everything I had, but nature was stronger in this case,” Walther stated in a message to Spiegel. He emphasized that safety had to take priority and expressed disappointment but also pride in the distance achieved. Walther had trained for years for this challenge, inspired by previous SUP crossings, such as that of Frenchman Alain Blanchard in 2019.
The crossing was an ambitious endeavor involving extreme physical and mental strains. Walther equipped himself with solar panels for electronics and an emergency beacon. Despite the failure, his attempt is hailed as a courageous feat that tests the limits of human endurance. Experts warn of the risks involved in such solo adventures on the open ocean.