The Little Optimist @ Surf Cafe

Greg Bertish an NSRI ambassador is currently traveling along the coast to do a series of fundraising movie nights in support of NSRI and his trust which funds many children’s charities.

Greg’s movie is an internationally acclaimed documentary of his 200km trip sailing a little dinghy (an optimist) around Cape Point to Langebaan. This marks the 200 days he spent in hospital fighting for his life with a heart infection and subsequent surgery.

Greg is an outstanding motivational speaker and his message to have a dream, set goals and believe in oneself resonates with adults and children alike. He has also written a delightful children’s book.

The Little Optimist Trust

Inspirational speaker, Greg Bertish is the founder and Ambassador of The Little Optimist Trust, a registered Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) that aims to inspire kids to SURVIVE and THRIVE.

“I have found my calling – to help and inspire sick and needy kids and people. From the marginalized, insecure and bullied child, to the very sick and the needy. We help them to believe in something, to believe in themselves and help find them passion and a dream to live for!” – Greg Bertish.

A bullied, insecure and unhappy child, Greg has always been passionate about sailing, his Optimist Dinghy is his escape from reality. Infected by a rare tropical bacterium in 2001 at the age of 30, Greg spent over 200 days in hospital and underwent two open heart surgeries.

The power of positive thought and the strength of the human spirit helped him to piece back his life and lifestyle.

In April 2016 Greg Bertish sailed an 8 foot Children’s Optimist dinghy around the Cape of Storms. He crossed False Bay, rounded Cape Point and headed for Langebaan Lagoon on the wild West Coast. His 200-kilometre journey matched the 200 days he had spent in hospital fighting life-threatening heart infections.

Greg raised R300 000 towards a new Intensive Care Unit at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital.

Greg hopes this journey of a REAL Little Optimist and his Children’s book about a little believer with a HUGE heart will help teach kids that being small, sick, poor or different is OK. And prove that they too can survive and thrive. His story aims to inspire kids and the world to believe in themselves, get better, be better and follow their passions and dreams.

Greg Bertish is a big wave surfer, a South African Champion Lifesaver and Stand Up Paddle Boarder. He is also an ambassador for the Children’s Hospital Trust and the National Sea Rescue Institute, and founder of the Shark Spotter Program. He has helped raise over R2 million for these charities to date.

The Little Optimist movie will be showcased in Plettenberg bay on the 5th of March 2019 @ The Surf Cafe.

For more information view The Little Optimist on our events calendar.