olly hicks

introduction

a life-long love of adventure and a passion for ocean rowing

Ever since he was 13 and read about 2 fishermen who rowed across the Atlantic, Olly made it his ambition to row solo across the North Atlantic

In 2005 he became the first person to row solo from America to England aged 23. During his 124 days at sea he formed a plan that would see him make an attempt to row around the world.

In 2009 after two years of planning and fundraising he set off from Tasmania to row around the world. After 96 days alone on the Tasman Sea he had to suspend the voyage in New Zealand due to an insurmountable design flaw with the boat which made it very difficult to row downwind. However this voyage was the first crossing of the Tasman Sea from Tasmania to New Zealand and the voyage proved the viability of spending a long time in a small rowing boat unsupported in hostile latitudes. Olly is currently in the midst of a sponsorship drive to complete the expedition to row around the world in 2012.

Born in 1981, Olly grew up in largely in London but also spent much of his childhood on the family farm in Derbyshire where he developed his love of the outdoors. Spending summer holidays on the Suffolk coast messing about in boats instilled a love of the sea and anything to do with being in, on or near the water.

After leaving school Olly attended Newcastle University, where he graduated with a BSc in Countryside Management. Before Newcastle Olly travelled widely across the globe spending 4 months on a conservation project in Kenya and then travelling from London to Hong Kong by train. Whilst at Newcastle Olly spent his spare time fell running and Kayaking in training for the Marathon des Sables and the Yukon River Quest.

Olly has worked as a close supporter of Hope and Homes for Children since he began adventuring with a bike ride from Lands End to John O'Groats in 2000. He has raisedover £160,000 for them and won young philanthropist commendation from The Beacon Fellowship charitable trust.