Nick Hollis, who previously worked as a sales and business manager at HP, recently linked up with his old employer to support him on an epic challenge – rowing solo across the Atlantic Ocean.
 
Hollis worked at HP between 2003 and 2012 before leaving follow his dreams of exploration and adventure. This included setting up Fitways Adventures, a specialist company that runs expeditions, adventures and team building events. By doing this, Hollis has been able to combine two of his passions: exploration and tackling climate change.
 
This journey ultimately led Hollis to take part in the 721 Challenge, one of the most gruelling and testing trials on the planet. Participants in the 721 Challenge are tasked with scaling the seven largest peaks in the world, skiing to both the North and South Poles, and rowing more than 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.
 
Hollis began the challenge several years ago and has already completed many parts of it, with just the small matters of rowing the Atlantic Ocean and trekking to the North Pole left before he completes the endurance test.
 
The Atlantic Challenge is next on the list for Hollis, who is due to start his journey from the Canary Islands to Antigua this Christmas season. While Hollis will row the entire 3,000 miles himself, he will have the support of numerous sponsors of backers, many of whom will have their brands featured on his boat, which has aptly been named ‘Kraken’.

This is where HP and long-term HP user PressOn come into play. PressOn used a HP Latex R2000 and HP Latex 3600 to produce specialist decals to cover the boat. The design features both the names and logos of his many sponsors.
 
Graphics were printed onto Hexis THE190EUO vinyl and laminated with Hexis PCI90G2. But importantly for Nick, PressOn will recover these materials for recycling after the challenge is complete to save them from landfill.



HP Latex ink cartridges are carton-based and produced using 100% recycled cardboard. In addition, all HP printers and supplies contain UL validated ocean bound plastic and recycled plastics.
 
“I’ll start the Atlantic crossing around 10^th December, and I expect the row to take between 55 and 80 days. I’m rowing solo and plan to row for around 15 hours per day,” Nick said. “I’ll be consuming around 6,500 calories each day of the crossing, but I still expect to lose about 15kg.
 
“I'm attempting the 721 Challenge to support the international conservation charity World Land Trust, of which Sir David Attenborough is a patron. I’m also proud to be an ambassador for the organisation.
 
“I am absolutely delighted with the final outcome of the printed decals and cannot wait to take on the Atlantic Challenge later this year!”
 
Olivia Kelleher, HP large-format sustainability lead, added: “As Nick will be spending so long on the water, it’s important for him to work with suppliers and partners that keep up to date on the latest innovations and reduce the impact on the environment.
 
“Working with suppliers and manufacturers that have adopted closed loop systems to recycle waste materials back into the printing process is one way of doing so as it reduces waste and increases resource efficiency.”