Torqeedo, a leading company for electric propulsion systems on the water, is expanding its global “Electric Explorers” brand ambassador program to support the work of environmental activist Michael Walther, co-founder of the Zero Emissions project, as well as water sports enthusiasts and freshwater ecologist Hendrik Wirschum from Lake Starnberg.

“Electric mobility on the water is about changing the way we experience and protect our waters,” says Heiko Vietmeier, CEO of Torqeedo. “Through our Electric Explorers program, we are bringing together people who share this vision and show how modern electric propulsion can support a wide range of applications on the water.”

Climate protection needs nature experiences

As co-founder of the Zero Emissions project, launched in 2008, Michael Walther uses spectacular water sports initiatives to encourage more people to spend time surrounded by nature and to bring climate protection closer to the heart of society.

“From the beginning, our goal has been to inspire spectators, the media, and companies to engage with a variety of environmental challenges. It may sound simple, but climate protection needs to become mainstream. Only then can we reach target groups that have had little engagement with climate change, ocean pollution, and acidification, or the careful use of resources," says Michael Walther.

Walther has already made this approach visible through numerous initiatives, including a SUP expedition to Greenland and a spectacular journey on an offshore SUP from Portugal to South America. The project also included a collaboration with the Alfred Wegener Institute in Bremerhaven, in which acoustic data on the communication of marine mammals was collected.

Since the beginning of the year, Walther has been using the Torqeedo Travel XS in his projects. The compact, entry-level motor from the Travel Family, with 700 watts of input power and a 648Wh lithium-ion battery, supports him during training sessions, support trips, and SUP-based activities.

“The Travel XS delivers the right level of performance for our projects and fully supports our purpose,” says Walther. “It is compact, easy to transport, and powerful enough for our SUP activities. At the same time, it allows us to move quietly and emission-free on the water – an approach that fits our understanding of water sports: close to nature and with respect for our waters.”

Understanding waters to better protect them

“As a freshwater ecologist, I see water as more than just a place of recreation; it's also a place of work for me.  To better understand and protect our local waters, I study numerous lakes, rivers, and other aquatic ecosystems in Bavaria and beyond.

Therefore, electric mobility on the water was a logical next step for me,” adds Hendrik Wirschum. On Lake Starnberg, he also relies on the Torqeedo Travel XS.

"It's lightweight, compact, and easy to steer, yet powerful enough for my work on the water. It effortlessly takes me to places that would otherwise be difficult to reach,” says Wirschum. To him, using electric propulsion means having a clear mindset: anyone who uses the water also bears responsibility for protecting it.

"Water is a limited resource. That is why we should treat our waters with care and protect them to the best of our ability,” Wirschum concludes.

From local waters to the Atlantic

“Michael and Hendrik are a strong addition to our global Electric Explorers community because they show that electric propulsion is an enabler for a unique kind of water experience,” says Jennifer Kuhle, Global Marketing Director at Torqeedo. “Michael inspires people to engage with environmental and climate protection by providing powerful nature experiences. Hendrik brings the perspective of freshwater ecology and research. Together, they embody what Torqeedo stands for: pleasure, power, and respect.”

With its “Electric Explorers” brand ambassador program, Torqeedo is supporting a global community that demonstrates how modern electric propulsion systems can be used today – from local research and compact recreational boats to ambitious projects on open water.