Charlie Head Embarks on Solo SUP ‘Vortex’ Crossing to the Faroe Islands

Spanning nearly 250 miles of open ocean, the crossing pitches Charlie against powerful Atlantic swells, shifting winds, and unpredictable currents. For most, it’s an impossible challenge. For Charlie, it is both a physical test and a spiritual voyage.

“Pure positive energy”

Charlie has described the Vortex Crossing as “pure positive energy, the holding place where all dreams and hopes are held until we find vibration alignment with it.” His words reveal that this is more than an endurance paddle — it is an act of alignment with the forces of nature.

Dancing with the weather gods

Preparation for the crossing has meant waiting, watching, and moving with the rhythm of the wind. In his own words, Charlie spoke of “chanting to the weather Gods… shifting around the north coast depending on the wind direction.” It’s a reminder that the timing of such an expedition is dictated by nature, not the paddler.

Paddling with purpose

Charlie is no stranger to extreme adventure. He has previously paddled from Land’s End to London, taken first descents of the Rio Marañón and Blue Nile by SUP, and completed an 87-mile non-stop paddle around mainland Britain in under 24 hours. But every journey carries a deeper intent: to raise awareness for marine conservation, to highlight mental health, and to show the raw, human connection to the sea.

A crossing in real time

Now, as he strokes across the wild Atlantic, Charlie’s supporters follow his journey through live updates. Each message, whether poetic or practical, offers a window into the heart of the crossing — a mix of grit, humility, and wonder at the natural world.

The Vortex Crossing may yet become one of the most remarkable feats in the history of SUP adventure. For Charlie Head, it is not about conquering the ocean, but about moving with it — one paddle stroke at a time.