Iron Man Fishes from Back of Ski

Exclusive Fishmax Interview: Champion Ironman Zane Holmes’ dedication to Surf Lifesaving led him to create the Medibank Wave Warriors Junior Challenge, an annual event now in its 4th year.  What a lot of people don't know about is that Zane has a very interesting fishing technique.

FM: Zane we know you've been competing in ironman events since a young age, but what’s your earliest fishing memory? 
ZH: Going out with my dad about the age of 5. We had a Seafarer VC and used to go out off the Gold Coast all the time to the reefs.

FM: Where is your favourite fishing spot?
ZH: Lord How Island, is great, I had an amazing fishing experience there but nothing beats the GC.

FM:  Speaking of fishing your local beaches, you have a rather interesting fishing technique that not a lot of people would know about. Tell us about that?
ZH: I fish off my racing ski a lot. My technique is to troll a lure attached to a bike tube which I put over my shoulder while I paddle. I Usually catch tailor and bonito in the surf zone but I caught a fair size Mac tuna one day which was a real buzz trying to haul that in just by hand.
 
FM: OK, and when you catch them, how do you like to  eat them?
ZH: I love a simple recipe like garlic butter grilled on the bbq. Works great with whiting, flathead and any reef fish but my favourite fish is definitely tuna sashimi or lightly seared tuna though. 

FM: Tell us more about the Wave Warriors challenge
ZH: The Medibank Wave Warriors Junior Challenge, is open from under nine to under fifteen year old competitors and  is a beach and surf spectacular.

My goal was to create a unique ocean and beach spectacular for junior lifesavers (Nippers) so they can come together from around Australia to participate in an exciting competition.

The Medibank Wave Warriors Junior Challenge has events across all surf sports disciplines with individual events such as beach sprint, beach flags, surf race, board race and iron person and team events including surf teams, board relay, warrior relay and a two kilometre all age beach relay.

The four events in the series are:

·         Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October, 2013 - Greenmount Beach, Gold Coast, Queensland

·         Sunday 24 November, 2013 – Sunday 24th November , Perth, WA

·         Saturday 4 January, 2014 - Ocean Grove, Victoria

·         Saturday 1 February, 2014 – Newport,  NSW

The national finale will be held on:

·        Saturday 22 February, 2014 - Noosa, Sunshine Coast, Queensland

For more information about Wave Warriors go to – www.wavewarriors.com.au

Words: Stevo Perry Pics: Zane Holmes' private album