News release

Ricoh New Zealand is proud to put its financial support behind the Team Gallagher Trans-Tasman Row – a four-man team that hopes to be the first to row from Sydney Harbour Bridge to Auckland Harbour Bridge.

The crew is in full training mode in its specially built 10.5m boat, getting ready for a planned November departure from Sydney on what is expected to be a grueling journey to Auckland of anything from two to six weeks.

The campaign director is Waikato’s Rob Hamill, the legendary Atlantic Ocean rowing event winner who is staying ashore this time, and the team is Nigel Cherrie (35, of Auckland, team leader), Martin Berka (36, Auckland), James Blake (25, Dunedin) and Andrew McCowan (26, Hamilton).

Ricoh New Zealand Managing Director Mike Pollok says the endeavor is the kind of project Ricoh likes to support, especially as it also has an environmental sustainability awareness goal – to highlight the plight the world’s dwindling coral reefs.

“I’m glad I’m not going to be aboard the boat, that’s for sure. But we are delighted to lend support to an expedition which is very much in the tradition of great Kiwi adventurers who have gone before.”

Ricoh has also provided the team with the latest Ricoh waterproof and shockproof compact digital camera, which the rowers can use to capture images during the journey, to send to family, friends, supporters and the media.

Rob Hamill says though he isn’t rowing, he will live vicariously through the team’s exploits: “The challenge is extreme, as are the environmental issues we wish to highlight. Getting around Cape Reinga will be a significant challenge in itself and the final stretch down the east coast will be very special.”

“Without the support of companies such as Ricoh, and a range of other supporting people and organizations, this trip would not be possible.”

The Trans-Tasman Row is expected to require the team to complete about half a million strokes over 1,400 nautical miles – using the iconic harbor bridges of Sydney and Auckland as the start and finish lines.

“Ricoh globally has an acute awareness of the impact of humans on the environment, and has a strong environmental focus worldwide. The fact the crew is raising funds to build an artificial reef, and help a community in Borneo, adds to our motivation to assist the adventure.”

For the first time, an ocean rowing boat will be sending back video footage from sea, says Rob Hamill; “It’s a great opportunity for people to watch the challenge as it unfolds.”

The public can follow the journey by signing up for the daily updates at www.teamgallagher.co.nz, where the team’s progress can be tracked and video diary/blog updates will be posted.

Ends

For more information, please contact:
Lester Thorley
Consultant
Wright Communications
09 366 2456
021 103 4857
lester@wrightcommunications.co.nz

About Ricoh
Founded in 1936 and now with 108,500 employees and offices in more than 180 countries, Ricoh is a global leader in digital office solutions.

Ricoh New Zealand Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ricoh Company Ltd., Japan. The company’s New Zealand head office is located in Auckland, with six branch offices and a national network of 14 dealers providing sales, service and support in all areas of the country.

Ricoh has been dedicated to sustainable business practices for the past decade is proud to set the standard for the digital office solutions industry when it comes to sustainability.

Ricoh New Zealand was the first in the local industry to be certified under ISO 14001, and the first in its sector to have its products accredited with the Environmental Choice tick. They were also the first to achieve carboNZeroCertTM certification in November 2008, retaining their position as the sustainability leader for the industry.

Ricoh’s 14 nationwide independent dealers are also carboNZero certified.

Tweet