On January 5, 2025, Olivier Defranc, 55, landed back in French Guiana after windsurf across the Atlantic Ocean from Senegal, Africa, in 26 days and 8 hours.
His journey broke the previous record set by Christian Marty in 1982, who had completed the same 4,100 km route in 37 days and 16 hours.
As a teenager, Defranc witnessed Marty’s historic arrival in Kourou, French Guiana, and even accompanied him for the final 12 kilometers. That moment ignited a lifelong passion for windsurfing and a dream to one day repeat Marty’s transatlantic feat.
“I was lucky enough to accompany Christian Marty from Îles du Salut to Place des Roches,” Defranc told FranceInfo. “That experience inspired me… My passion for windsurfing was born then and has never faded.”
Defranc began his expedition on December 10, 2024, and stayed on his board for the entire journey. To sleep, he installed inflatable tubes around the board for stability and used a small tent to shield himself from sea spray.
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Even so, rest was rare. After a week of minimal sleep, his support team noted: “The major issue was night-time recovery—he was extremely uncomfortable and struggled to regain energy.”
Unlike Marty, who crossed entirely alone, Defranc was accompanied by a safety crew on a catamaran. Each day, they delivered food and sleeping equipment, retrieving the gear again every morning.
The Physical Toll
Despite decades of windsurfing experience, the midlife athlete admitted the crossing pushed his limits. After two weeks at sea, he reflected:
“At 55, a journey like this was perhaps a little excessive. Despite good physical preparation, holding back fluids for 5 to 7 hours a day was tough. I feared tendonitis, blisters, cramps, back pain, hydration problems. I was aching everywhere,” he said.
Defranc’s admiration for Marty had driven him into national windsurfing competitions. In 1992, he attempted to organize his first Atlantic crossing, but after three years, the effort collapsed due to lack of sponsorship. Determined to try again in 2024, he sold his house to fund the project.
Honoring a Legacy
Upon his arrival in Kourou, Defranc was greeted by friends, former classmates, and most notably Jérôme Marty, the son of Christian Marty.
Christian Marty was not only the first person to windsurf across the Atlantic but also a French pilot and athlete. Tragically, he died in the crash of Air France Concorde Flight 4590 in 2000.
Defranc dedicated his crossing to honoring Marty’s memory. Overcome with emotion as he stepped back onto land, he said:
“I have realized my 40-year dream. It’s priceless. I started windsurfing here. I finished here. For me, windsurfing is now complete.” (Sulung Prasetyo)
