BACK INJURY FORCES HOLMES OUT OF DHL 2011 AUSSIES
March 3: Surf lifesaving legend Zane Holmes has been forced to withdraw from next month's DHL 2011 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships at Kurrawa (April 2-10) for the second year in a row due to on-going back problems.
Holmes, 29, made the official announcement today after aggravating his back in a training session on the eve of the recent Trans Tasman Test Series in New Zealand.
The winner of 21 Aussies gold medals between 1999 and 2009 will also be a non starter at this month's Crazy John's Queensland State Championships on March 26 and 27.
The Northcliffe mainstay underwent back surgery in April 2010 and after recovering was granted a wildcard for the 2010-11 Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Iron Man Series.
After an indifferent start, Holmes surged back to his best, winning the final two rounds of the Series at Portsea and Noosa and was priming himself for a tilt at reclaiming his Australian Ironman crown.
Although Holmes admitted today he had been experiencing problems since Christmas, he was determined to manage his issues through the latter part of the Series and towards the Championship events.
Holmes revealed the problem relates to the two lowest discs in his back, the L5/S1 and the L4/L5.
"Both of these discs are bulging and placing pressure on the nerves, causing me considerable pain in the lower back area, which also refers down my legs," said Holmes.
"The operation I underwent last April on the L5/S1 disc got me through the season, however the wear and tear on both the discs from training and competition has caused the bulges to increase.
"As a result I haven't been able to train properly since the final round of the Kellogg's Series in Noosa and then suffered another flare up in the discs trying to train.
"Taking into consideration my current fitness level and the risk of causing further damage I will be withdrawing from the remainder of this season. This includes the Australian Titles.
"I am now full time into my rehab program and also seeking further alternative treatments to the ‘bandaid fix' of another operation, which I am going to avoid if I can.
"My aim now is to allow my discs to heal and improve and get my body balanced so this won't happen again.
"With the help of my support team (chiropractor, coaches, CHEK rehab) and my own strong will I plan to get back to full fitness for next season.
"My goal is to kick off the start of next year's Series the way I finished this one and I don't want to be in a position like this leading up to next year's Aussies.
"I love the Aussies and I have so many great memories from not only my individual successes but also the moments I have shared with my team mates - the Aussies is very special and very close to my heart.
"I hope to be back better than ever for next year's Championships."
Holmes withdrawal will again be a bitter blow to Australia's champion club Northcliffe who have relied so heavily on his expertise to bolster their teams since 2007.
He has won 13 gold medals over the three Australian Championships for Northcliffe between 2007 and 2009 - 11 of them in teams events.
Holmes has been a part of Northcliffe's victorious Taplin Relay teams, surf teams, board relay and ski relay combinations as well as taking individual crowns in the open surf race in 2007 and open belt in 2009.
Here is Zane Holmes 22 Aussies Gold Medals
1999: 1st Under 18 Ironman, 1st under 18 Board (Alexandra Headlands)
2001: 1st Open Surf Teams (Kawana Waters)
2002: 1st Board Rescue (Kawana Waters)
2003: 1st Open Board (Kawana Waters)
2004: 1st Open Ironman (Kawana Waters)
2005: 1st Open Surf Race, Open Board Relay (Kawana Waters)
2007: 1st Taplin Relay; Surf Race; Surf Teams; Board Relay; Over 24/Restricted Surf Race (Northcliffe)
2008: 1st Taplin; Surf Teams; Board Relay; Ski Relay (Northcliffe)
2009: 1st Taplin Relay; Open Belt; Surf Teams; Board Relay; Ski Relay (Northcliffe)
Who: 8000 of Australia's iconic surf lifesavers
What: "The Aussies" - 2011 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships
When: April 2-10
Where: Kurrawa Beach, Gold Coast
Why: For the Love - For the Joy - For The Aussies
Website: http://www.sls.com.au/