Crossing the Atlantic by SUP

5,000 calories a day across the Atlantic

One man, one board, one ocean: Michael Walther is setting out on an expedition that is as adventurous as it is symbolic. He intends to cross the Atlantic on an offshore stand-up paddleboard measuring just under six metres in length. Around 6,000 kilometres lie between the Portuguese coast and his destination in Cayenne, French Guiana. Three months at sea, 2,500 hours of solitude, swaying between calms and storms, scorching sun and cool nights—the project is called Ocean Crossing and is part of the “Zero Emissions” initiative. It represents not only an extreme sporting challenge, but also the urgency of climate protection and sustainable action.

Securing enough food is a challenge

To make this undertaking possible at all, more than courage and perseverance are needed. Above all, securing enough food is a challenge that determines success or failure. Walther must consume around 5,000 kilocalories every day to offset the enormous energy expenditure of his tireless paddling. Over the entire journey, that adds up to around 600,000 kilocalories—a logistical task that seems almost impossible to manage in such a small boat.

This is where support from BERTRAND comes in. The drinkable meals, which normally serve as a quick, healthy alternative in everyday life, now become a vital companion on the ocean. The principle is simple and ingenious at the same time: The powder is mixed with water to make a nutritious shake. Since Walther has a desalination system on board, he can treat the virtually unlimited supply of seawater and use it for preparation.

The benefits are obvious. The product not only provides the necessary energy in concentrated form, but also all the essential nutrients—protein to maintain muscle, carbohydrates for immediately available energy, fats for long-lasting energy, as well as vitamins and minerals that support the immune system. The practical side is just as important: BERTRAND meals are easy to transport, require little storage space, and need no elaborate preparation. Unlike conventional food, they do not spoil as quickly, which is essential for a voyage lasting several months on the open sea.

“Ocean Crossing” shows how much equipment and nutrition are among the unsung heroes of such expeditions. While Michael Walther is pushing the physical limits of what is possible, BERTRAND is working behind the scenes to help his body and mind endure. The project symbolizes how sustainability, innovation, and human determination can work together—and how even in the endless expanse of the Atlantic, the right nutrition can determine whether you keep moving forward.

Track Michael Walther