Interview: Christo Foerster
SWM: Christo, where did you get the idea to traverse Germany lengthwise on a paddleboard, traveling purely by human power?
CF: I had been wondering for a while if it would be possible to travel from the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain, to the island of Sylt (Germany’s northernmost point) using waterways and my own power. My experiences with micro-adventures sharpened my view of the possibilities close to home. Then the pandemic hit, travel was severely restricted, and I started to properly develop the idea of an expedition traversing Germany from south to north. Doing research, I quickly realized this could be a fantastic adventure.
SWM: What rules did you set for yourself for the expedition?
I knew I wouldn't be getting into a car. Also, I wanted to transport everything I needed myself, from start to finish, except for food. I didn't want to leave anything behind, buy equipment along the way, or send things home when I no longer needed them. This meant I had to carry my board down from the Zugspitze and, for example, didn't have
