Beyond funding research projects, Pure Ocean also promotes races and sporting challenges to raise public awareness of the ocean’s critical condition.
Race for Pure Ocean are exceptional races, carried out by outstanding athletes—individually or as teams—selected to draw maximum attention to threatened marine ecosystems and the importance of protecting them.
BERMUDES LORIENT
PURE OCEAN CHALLENGE
Crossing the Atlantic Ocean to raise awareness about ocean preservation
RECORDS BROKEN!!
Jean-Pierre Dick et son équipage remportent cette transatlantique en monocoque sur le « JP54 Notre Méditerranée Ville de Nice » avec un temps record de 11 jours 8 heures 38 minutes et 23 secondes battant le temps de référence de 12 jours 23 heures et 28 minutes établi en 1979 pour les monocoques.
On the multihull side, Vincent Willemart and his crew won this transatlantic race aboard “Banzaï,” setting a record time of 11 days, 13 hours, 53 minutes, and 8 seconds! The previous crossing time of 12 days, 23 hours, and 16 minutes had been set 40 years ago by Eugène Riguidel and Jean-François Le Menec.
EDHEC Sailing Cup x Pure Ocean
EDHEC Sailing Cup partners with Pure Ocean
Pour sa 55ème édition, la Course Croisière EDHEC s’engage pour la protection de l’océan en soutenant Pure Ocean !
Nearly 1,800 students will have the opportunity to compete:
- during “La Course”, a sailing regatta;
- or through independent sports competitions born from the merger of the Trophée Terre and Trophée Sable: the “Défis by CCE” (Trail/Triathlon, Beach Soccer, Beach Rugby, Foil).
There’s something for everyone!
Marseille-Cassis X Pure Ocean 2022
In 2022, Pure Ocean became an official cause of the Marseille-Cassis race, a legendary run through the Calanques National Park.
For its 43rd edition, the SCO Sainte-Marguerite, organizer of the legendary Marseille-Cassis race, has chosen to support Pure Ocean!
Pure Ocean Cup Marseille 2022
Sail in Marseille to protect marine biodiversity
Following a successful first edition in September 2021, the Pure Ocean Cup Marseille is back in 2022!
Starting from Marseille’s Old Port on September 21, 2022, take part in a unique regatta combining science, sporting challenge, and ocean protection in support of Pure Ocean.
Pure Ocean at the Montgenèvre Sky Race!
A stunning trail run in the mountains to support ocean research
The Montgenèvre Sky Race is one of the most beautiful trail runs in France, drawing much of its success from the stunning landscapes in which it takes place.
Made up of four stunning races in the mountains surrounding the village of Montgenèvre on the Italian border, the Sky Race has chosen to support Pure Ocean for its 23rd edition!
Pure Ocean at the Vendée Arctique – Les Sables d’Olonne with IMOCA!
First qualifying race for the 2024 Vendée Globe
The Vendée Arctique – Les Sables d’Olonne is the first qualifying race for the 2024 Vendée Globe. It is a demanding offshore race, sailed solo, non-stop, and without assistance.
From June 12, 25 adventurers will set off on this 3,500-nautical-mile race through the waters of the Far North, embarking on a one-of-a-kind experience.
Great news: Pure Ocean will be present throughout the entire event, in partnership with IMOCA, to showcase its initiatives and promote ocean protection. An online raffle has been set up for the occasion, allowing everyone to take part in Pure Ocean’s initiatives!
Solenn for Pure Ocean
A sporting challenge in service of the environment
Ludovic Gerard & Nicolas Brossay, two dedicated Pure Ocean ambassadors, took part in the Cap Martinique in May 2022—a race committed to nature—where the two amateur sailors proudly flew the Pure Ocean colors. For this first edition, the Solenn for Pure Ocean crew claimed first place on the podium! Une grande fierté pour eux, bien sur, mais aussi pour toute l’équipe Pure Ocean qui est fière d’avoir deux ambassadeurs engagés et victorieux à ses côtés !
The adventure continues in 2022!
BERMUDES LORIENT
PURE OCEAN CHALLENGE
Crossing the Atlantic Ocean to raise awareness about ocean preservation
Following two successful editions in 2020 and 2021 between St Pierre et Miquelon and Lorient, the Pure Ocean Challenge will take place between Bermuda and Lorient in May 2022.
BERMUDES LORIENT – PURE OCEAN CHALLENGE, presented by Pure Ocean, Absolute
DREAMER and LORIENT GRAND LARGE is a transatlantic sailing challenge, open to all types of sailboats, with several objectives:
- to beat benchmark times
- to raise public awareness about the ocean and the need to protect it
- to collect data that will support scientific research for ocean protection
- to raise funds for ocean research
The ambition is to be a different kind of race, focused on the urgency of protecting the ocean and the ways to achieve it.
Pure Ocean Cup For Biodiversity
During the World Conservation Congress, come sail for the protection of marine biodiversity
Departing from Marseille’s Old Port, committed companies took part in a unique regatta combining science, sporting challenge, and ocean protection in support of Pure Ocean.
The “PURE OCEAN CUP FOR BIODIVERSITY,” an engaging and fun regatta, is an opportunity to raise awareness and mobilize companies around the ocean and its preservation during the World Conservation Congress.
The Pure Ocean Cup for Biodiversity took place alongside the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Marseille from September 3 to 11, 2021. Nous avons donné une conférence sur les enjeux de la recherche océanique pour la protection du monde marin ce qui a donné lieu à des échanges sur l’actualité du congrès.
Solenn For Pure Ocean
1 sporting challenge, in service of the environment
Nous sommes deux marins qui ont cette passion commune de l’océan et de la voile. Former competitors in previous regattas, a friendship gradually formed at sea, leading us to sail together aboard the Solenn.
Beyond this shared passion, we are united by common values that make us a powerful—and almost limitless—team! Through our regattas and maritime expeditions, we have become aware of the ocean’s degradation and the urgent need to take action. We are fully aware that our playground is fragile, and we are committed to protecting it—taking action to preserve the ocean and marine biodiversity.
La voile est pour nous un sport magique avec sa part d’histoire et de tradition mais surtout par la solution éco-responsable qu’elle représente. Les mers et l’océan sont en danger, l’air que nous respirons est pollué, l’être humain doit se réinventer dans sa façon de se déplacer pour limiter les impacts environnementaux. Le sport, au-delà du défi humain est également un atelier technologique. Les progrès réalisés dans la voile seront bénéfiques à la recherche de solutions innovantes pour le transport maritime. Today, we are all stakeholders in protecting our planet, and every action counts—so we chose to race in the name of an environmental cause.
The Pure Ocean Foundation was an obvious choice for us. Indeed, we share the same passion for the ocean, environmental protection, and in particular the preservation of marine ecosystems. The boat’s racing name therefore became Solenn for Pure Ocean for the 2020/2021 seasons!
Nature Women Challenges – Coast to Coast Challenge
Four women taking on an extreme challenge across France to protect the ocean.
From August 9 to 15, 2021, four committed women – Emilie Bertheaume, Emma Clair Dumont, Barbara Charpentier & Lisa Krumnikl – took part in a non-stop relay, crossing France from the English Channel to the Mediterranean in an unprecedented challenge, while raising funds to protect the ocean!
Quentin Riché – Mini Transat 2021
What is the Mini Transat?
- La Mini-Transat se court sur les plus petits bateaux de course au large du monde.
- Skippers have no means of communication with land during the crossing.
- Skippers have no navigation assistance available (no routing, no mapping).
- Since its creation in 1977, the Mini Transat has revealed some of sailing’s biggest names, including Michel Desjoyeaux, Ellen MacArthur, Thomas Coville, and Loïck Peyron…
Pourquoi ce défi ?
Originally from the Alps, I have been immersed in outdoor sports from a very young age.
The combination of my passion for sailing and the mountain environment in which I grew up has shaped me into a well-rounded, versatile athlete, with a particular love for wind and gliding.
The Mini Transat is a natural next step in my journey. My experience as a naval architect and my attraction to the elements led me to embark on this extraordinary adventure. I now dedicate 100% of my time to this project. Not everything happens at sea! On land, technical, physical, and mental preparation—as well as the search for sponsors and partners—turn this adventure into an entrepreneurial project, a condensed life experience over two years!
Route St Pierre Lorient – Pure Ocean Challenge, 2nd edition
A transatlantic crossing to raise awareness about ocean protection.
After a successful first edition in 2020, Route Saint-Pierre & Miquelon and Pure Ocean organized the second edition of the Route Saint-Pierre Lorient – Pure Ocean Challenge in 2021. The start was officially set for Monday, June 14 at 18:18:34 UTC.
The Route Saint-Pierre Lorient – Pure Ocean Challenge is a transatlantic sailing challenge between Saint-Pierre & Miquelon and Lorient, open to all types of sailboats and any wind-powered craft, with several objectives:
- to beat benchmark times
- to raise public awareness about the ocean and the need to protect it
- to collect data that will support scientific studies for ocean protection
- to raise funds for ocean research
The ambition is to be a different kind of race, focused on the urgent need to save the ocean and the ways to achieve it.
Merci x Pure Ocean at the start of the Vendée Globe
Electric engine, carbon offsetting, and even a cardboard cap weren’t enough for skipper Sébastien Destremau—he has teamed up with Pure Ocean. His goal is to raise funds for scientific research and environmental protection.
The fundraiser is live on Ekosea—help Sébastien raise funds for the ocean!
“MERCI” and its eco-responsible skipper
Behind his modern-day artist-poet persona, Sébastien is a man of strong convictions. Fully committed to his choices, his electric propulsion system nearly cost him his place on the starting line… due to a stubborn battery. Rescued at the very last minute, Sébastien did indeed make it to the start of this round-the-world race.
Another bold choice is his protective skipper’s canopy at the rear of the boat, made entirely of cardboard. “I hope that one day, all non-structural elements of our boats will be made from bio-based materials.” Moreover, a study conducted by EcoAct estimated that the overall “MERCI” project (over two and a half years) will emit 89 tons of CO₂ into the atmosphere. Émissions qui seront intégralement compensées grâce aux projets de séquestration de carbone labellisés.
Crossing the Atlantic: 5,000 kilometers by rowboat
Lilian Dauzat and Guilhem Orlhac take on an extreme challenge while raising funds for the ocean.
A few days before their planned departure in 2019, Lilian and Guilhem had to postpone their journey due to a thumb injury suffered by Guilhem. But the team came back stronger and turned “this setback into an opportunity to make an even more remarkable crossing.”
On November 21, the duo set off on their adventure once again, departing from the Canary Islands to reach Martinique—by rowing. This extraordinary challenge requires exceptional physical and mental endurance: more climbers have summited Everest than rowers have crossed an ocean. Their shared passion for extreme challenges and for the oceans led them to take on this feat in support of Pure Ocean.
These two experienced adventurers will cover 5,000 km across the Atlantic Ocean aboard a 7.3-meter monohull, alternating between 2-hour rowing shifts and 2-hour rest periods. They will therefore spend between 40 and 50 days on board in complete autonomy. The energy they need for onboard instruments, lighting, and communication will be generated by solar panels fitted on the boat.
Despite extreme weather conditions, physical fatigue, and stress, we can count on our two champions to go all the way for our oceans!
Support them throughout their adventure by sending them a “message in a bottle.”
Expedition for Pure Ocean by Watch the Sea
Every second, 250 kg of plastic waste enter the ocean. To raise awareness about this issue five members of the Watch The Sea association took concrete action to protect the environment by covering the entire length of the Calanques National Park—around 25 kilometers over 3 days—through seatrekking.
But what is seatrekking? Seatrekking is an original concept combining an underwater hiking adventure with ocean conservation. Participants thus cover long stretches of coastline independently over several days, equipped with fins, a mask, and a snorkel.
Ces excursions sont l’occasion pour tous d’agir concrètement à la protection de l’environnement. Cleaning the seabed and collecting data on the state of biodiversity are naturally an integral part of the association’s citizen-led activities.
As part of the Calanques Propres 2020 operation, Watch the Sea was involved from October 17 to 19 as an active player in raising awareness and bringing about change, as well as raising funds for the Pure Ocean Foundation. Learn more.
The Pure Ocean Challenge – Route Saint-Pierre Lorient
A 2,150-nautical-mile transatlantic sailing race between Saint-Pierre & Miquelon and Lorient? With the bold ambition of breaking Éric Tabarly’s legendary record of 10 days, 1 hour, and 31 minutes?
This year, Jean-Pierre Dick’s JP 54 and Morgane Poupon’s Class 40 will be on the starting line in mid-July for the Pure Ocean Challenge – Route Saint-Pierre Lorient.
David Sussmann, founding president of Pure Ocean, will take part in the Challenge aboard The Kid, Jean-Pierre Dick’s JP54. During the race, David will share his logbook with us. Each day, he will record a video sharing his experience in the middle of the Atlantic—but above all, he will talk about the ocean, the threats it faces, and the role of science and researchers who work every day to protect it!
This event will help raise awareness about the importance of protecting the ocean and raise funds to support research programs. .Learn more.
Underwater Marathon: a race for the environment
The first underwater marathon combining a sporting challenge with raising awareness about the ocean’s fragility
On June 8, 2020, Pure Ocean organized an underwater relay marathon to raise awareness among as many people as possible about the ocean’s critical condition. In the Bay of Marseille, scuba divers guided participants through the Mediterranean.
A unifying event starting from Marseille, this Underwater Marathon brought together numerous diving clubs, institutions, and sponsors around an ambitious and unprecedented challenge.
Swim from Nice to Monaco while collecting waste at sea? It’s possible with Watch the Sea!
After nearly 20 km of swimming in the mistral winds and a night under the stars, the Watch The Sea swimmers—Guillaume Barsse, Marie-Thérèse Ronal, and Philippe Balch—collected and brought back 22 kg of various waste to Monaco!
A distinguished welcoming committee—including Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice; Cyrielle Hariel, journalist and engaged author; François-Alexandre Bertrand, CEO of Platypus Craft; Denis Jacquet, founder and president of DAY ONE; and David Sussmann, founder and president of Pure Ocean—welcomed them in Monaco to celebrate this achievement.
Prom’Swim: a 10 km swim across Nice
More than 300 amateur swimmers will take on this challenging distance during this final stage of the EDF Aqua Challenge.
This year, on the occasion of Prom’Swim, the whole of Nice will be swimming for the Oceans on Saturday, September 21!
A 10 km open water swim: an exceptional distance, open to all—because amateur swimmers are exceptional athletes too. The start will take place at 9 a.m. from Plage des Ponchettes.
Prom’Swim, the final stage of the l’EDF Aqua Challenge, is committed to protecting the oceans, and the 10 km race therefore becomes a Race for Pure Ocean! Throughout the weekend, Prom’Swim is committed to recycling its waste and reducing its environmental impact. This year, no plastic straws, plates, or cutlery will be used in the race village, and a major clean-up of Plage des Ponchettes will take place on Friday, September 20 at 6 p.m.!
A great opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to the environment and to raise funds for the protection of marine ecosystems with Pure Ocean.
100 kilometers of kitesurfing for a new speed record
Alex Caizergues, world speed kitesurfing champion, is committing to the oceans and aiming to set a new record.
Alex Caizergues is currently the most decorated French kitesurfer, with 4 World Championship titles and 3 French Championship titles in speed. He currently holds the kitesurfing speed world record: an average of 107.3 km/h over 500 meters. In August 2019, he set out to establish a new benchmark time, reaffirming his commitment to protecting the oceans.
As a Pure Ocean ambassador, Alex is taking on a major challenge for the oceans. He has mapped out a 100-kilometer route between Essaouira and Agadir, which he will complete in a single run, as quickly as possible.
For this first Race for Pure Ocean on the African continent, a new benchmark time was set: 98.4 km in 3 hours and 30 minutes! A record to beat in the years to come!
La Solitaire URGO Le Figaro
In 2019, Arthur Le Vaillant took on the challenge of La Solitaire URGO Le Figaro. This solo race between Nantes and Dieppe, divided into four stages around the English Channel and the Celtic Sea, brought together 47 skippers that year. Leyton France supported Arthur in this challenge, through which they jointly demonstrated their shared commitment to environmental protection.
Through this race, Leyton chose to demonstrate its support for Pure Ocean by partnering with the Race for Pure Ocean initiative, hoping to raise awareness about today’s environmental challenges.
In addition, technological innovations for environmental protection (such as sensors measuring air quality…) were installed on board to be tested in real-life conditions.
Enduroman: the extreme triathlon between London and Paris
As part of Race for Pure Ocean, in June 2019 Brice Bonneviale completed the Arch2Arc in 75 hours and 45 minutes, becoming the 37th person to achieve this extreme triathlon. On June 22, he set off from Marble Arch in London and, after running 140 km in 16 hours and 55 minutes, plunged into the waters of the English Channel. After a further 34 km of swimming, he reached French shores, having battled cold temperatures and strong currents for 21 hours and 51 minutes. The next day, he got back on his bike to cover 290 km to Paris, where he completed his feat 14 hours and 37 minutes later beneath the Arc de Triomphe. His motivation for completing this feat: his involvement in the Pure Ocean project, which funds innovations dedicated to protecting the oceans and their biodiversity.
An exceptional challenge to launch the Race for Pure Ocean series.
Through this sporting feat—requiring unmatched endurance and pushing beyond one’s limits—Brice aimed to raise awareness of today’s environmental challenges, which threaten not only our oceans but all of the planet’s ecosystems. As part of this environmental commitment, Brice’s team, following him throughout the challenge, collected waste along their route. Passionate about the oceans, he also hoped to draw public attention to the scale of the threats they face and highlight existing solutions to protect them—ultimately choosing to take on this challenge in support of Pure Ocean.
Monte-Cristo Challenge by night
To mark the 20th anniversary of the Monte-Cristo Challenge, Pure Ocean partnered with Europe’s largest open water swimming event. For this second edition of Race for Pure Ocean, around 40 amateur athletes showed their support for the environmental cause through this high-level nighttime sporting performance.
On June 21, at nightfall, the starting signal was given for the swimmers at the Château d’If, an emblematic landmark of Marseille. The participants—amateur swimmers—delivered a unique sporting performance while affirming their commitment to ocean protection. With the Mediterranean Sea as their backdrop, a maritime gem of southern France, this challenge helped shine a spotlight on the Pure Ocean project while raising awareness among the general public about the critical state of our oceans—and the planet as a whole. Thanks to this event, €20,000 was raised for Pure Ocean, helping to fund innovative projects for the protection of the oceans and their biodiversity.
