September 20 - 26, 2015: Issue 232

Wave Warriors 2015-2016 Season:  Champion Ironman Zane Holmes’ new challenge this summer

 Champion Ironman Zane Holmes

 Champion Ironman Zane Holmes’ new challenge this summer

Medibank Ocean Swim Run combines with Medibank Wave Warriors Junior Challenge

Champion Ironman Zane Holmes’ dedication to Surf Lifesaving led him to create the Medibank Wave Warriors Junior Challenge, an annual event now in its 5th year which attracts competitors from across Australia and New Zealand.

This year Nippers from Newport and Curl Curl SLS Clubs will be making the trip to Currumbin on Saturday 3 October to take part in the opening Medibank Wave Warriors Junior Challenge series event.

New to each Wave Warriors event day this season and adding extra excitement is the all ages Medibank Ocean Swim Run which will be held from 6.30am to 8.30am prior to the Wave Warriors kicking off at 9am.

The Medibank Ocean Swim Run is open to everyone aged from 6 years to 60+ years (not just surf lifesavers) and is a 200m swim and a 2km beach run. 

The Medibank Wave Warriors Junior Challenge is open to competitors from under nine to under fifteen year olds and is a beach and surf spectacular, set up to mirror the famous Kellogg’s Ironman series and promote further development for junior lifesavers in this iconic Aussie sport. 

Junior lifesavers (Nippers) from across Australia are keen to hit their local beach with one of their heroes and a legend of the sport to develop their skills and have fun in the water.

“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,” said Holmes.

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 the new Medibank Movers relay.

The competition is about participation and fun - encouraging our youngest athletes towards a healthy and active lifestyle and encouraging them to continue their participation in the sport and to become future volunteer patrolling lifesavers at their local surf lifesaving clubs.

“Medibank is proud to be the naming rights sponsor for the Wave Warriors Junior Challenge,” said Jason Gowie, Medibank Divisional General Manager of Marketing, Sales and Service.

“The Wave Warriors events reflect so much of what we are about – families, being active, community connectedness and building health habits from a young age. This is all part of our For Better Health focus and it is pleasing to find a partner such as Wave Warriors who echoes our sentiments,” said Mr Gowie.

Zane has a 40 year family history in surf lifesaving, beginning as a Nipper and culminating at the pinnacle of his sport. He is the most successful Ironman in Surf Lifesaving history.

As well as the Medibank Wave Warriors Junior Challenge events, Zane is also holding two Nippers clinics in his home state of Queensland:

• Currumbin, QLD Saturday 22 August, 2015 

• Maroochydore, QLD Sunday 23 August, 2015

The events in the Medibank Wave Warriors Junior Challenge series are:

• Currumbin, QLD - Saturday 3 October, 2015

• Wanda, NSW – Saturday  10 October, 2015

• Swansea Belmont, NSW – Sunday 8 November, 2015

• Mullaloo, WA - Sunday 22 November, 2015

• Henley, SA - Saturday 5 December, 2015

• Newport, NSW - Saturday 30 January, 2016

• Maroochydore, QLD - Sat 20 February 2016

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


For more information on Medibank go to www.medibank.com.au


Medibank Wave Warriors Junior Challenge was named Best Sporting Event in both Queensland and Western Australia in 2014.