Greg Bertish is an awesome Waterman. Three times winner of the Coreban Summer Series, One time winner of the Naish Primi Series. He is one of the pioneers of SUPing in South Africa and is still on the forefront of SUP development.

He has mastered the short sprint to a fine art, his downwinders are phenomenal with so far his brother Chris being his main competition. Greg's SUP Surfing is also really impressive with fat round house cutback tail slides being his signature move.

1) What training other than SUPing do you do to keep in shape?

Greg: Well with a one year old, a wife who also loves to SUP and surf, and a very busy year or two at True Blue Surf and Island Travel, its been hard to train at all! That is why I try and make all the races, as that's actually what keeps me fit. I keep fit mostly thru just fun SUPing & surfing, and with the odd training sessions at the lifesaving club or with a game of beach touch rugby. I am lucky and can sneak a few sessions a week when there is surf and then a downwinder a week on a Wednesday is normally it on the longer distance stuff.

2) Have you paddled out at Dungeons on a SUP?

Greg: I have a few times ... Scored one or two fun ones so far, but this is the winter to up the anti. I'm working on a Big Wave SUP at the moment- it'll be something I want to focus on this winter.

3) What are the differences between downwinding on a Coreban Alpha 12'6 and 14'?

Greg: A fair difference but both super fun.

The 12'6 is more stable and is really fun to ride. It glides easily and actually rides and surfs the windswells with ease. More of a surf feel and amazing in big winds.

The 14' Alpha is fast but more technical. Once you can tame it you can make this baby fly. Its probibly the best all round race board on the market. I've raced and won on it, in the surf slalom, the sprints and in longer downwind races.

4) You seem to have the short sprint taped to a fine art. What is the secret?

Greg: It's all in the secret paddle stroke. The "Stroke of Toa" which I learned while studying the art of SUP on a retreat, high in the mountain lakes of Canada. Back in 2006.

Ha Ha

I've always been a shorter distance athlete. I don't have the time or patience to train long distance anyway. (I leave that to my brother.)  I prefer the quick and fast disciplines. I did a lot of competetive lifesaving and I think this helps. It taught me to read the sea, the waves and the conditions as well as how to take on components in the ocean. Fun , fun , fun.

5) You ride for Coreban and your brother Chris rides for Naish. Does competitiveness ever get between the two of you after the race?

Greg: Nah, I think blood runs thicker than brands :) we have had some awesome sessions and races together.  Chris is a supreme & dedicated athlete, and probably the best all round SUP'er in SA.

With metal heart valves, a few years on him and having less time to train now days, Im just stoked that I can still be competetive.

6) After winning the Summer Series thrice and winning the Naish Primi Series last year. Do you have any intention of competing internationally?

Greg: If I had the time and money I would love to do the odd race or compo..... but, there are youngsters out there and coming soon that will kick our asses! Maybe a specilaist event or Island crossing would be fun some time- never say never !!!!

7) Where is your favorite SUP surfing spot?

Greg: I think I'd have to say Karmers or Pedestrians (Im goofy) Also there is a perfect A frame reef up the west coast that is probably the best SUP wave in SA.

8) Where does the nickname 'Krok" come from?

Greg: That's a good question.... my brother Conn actually coined it while we were traveling and snowboarding our way across the usa.... I was a year or 2 older than the other guys, had travelled a bit more, and had had a few bad snowboarding wipeouts on the trip, so he started calling me the krok (crok)- as in older, wiser/ experienced, & more injured.  i then used the name for a website after my bacterial heart infection and ordeals in 2001 & 2007...www.crocheart.co.za the name has stuck.

9) How often do you SUP a week on average?

Greg: 2 to 3 times if all goes well - if the surfs cooking or big, I surf rather.

10) Where do you see SUPing in 10 years time?

Greg: Huge, and on every water way and body of water across the world smaller and lighter Surf SUP boards and super fast and technically designed Race Boards for all conditions.

Thanks SUPHQ.COM - love your site!