ZANE HOLMES AND COURTNEY HANCOCK GET WET FOUR WHALES
![courtney-and-zane[1].jpg](/images/stories/news-articles/courtney-and-zane[1].jpg "courtney-and-zane[1].jpg")
SURF SPORTS, July 1: The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) has launched its new online fundraising initiative today with the announcement of two well known Gold Coast based surf sports stars, as the faces of the "Get Wet for Whales" campaign.
Reigning Australian Ironwoman and Series champion Courtney Hancock and two time-World and five-time Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman Series winner Zane Holmes have been appointed as Ambassadors for this exciting new fundraiser.
Get Wet For Whales IFAW Oceania Regional Director, Isabel McCrea made the announcement today, saying: "Each humpback whale swims 10,000kms as it makes its amazing journey from Antarctica to Australian waters to mate and calve. It's a mammoth swim and we want whale lovers to get together to try to reach that same milestone.
"Courtney Hancock and Zane Holmes, as leading water sports athletes, are the perfect ambassadors to lead the way and get our message out there to people who love the water also have a deep respect for our marine environment.
"They are both keen to help us raise much needed funds to keep these beautiful creatures safe throughout their annual migration route. We are very happy to welcome Courtney and Zane onboard."
Hancock, who has grown up in the ocean said it was time to make a difference.
"With whales facing more threats today than ever before, now is the time to help protect them and the oceans they live in," said Hancock.
"By putting my name to IFAW's Get Wet for Whales, I will be doing my best to make a difference.
"I am devoting all my training sessions for the Coolangatta Gold on September 25 to Get Wet for Whales, so people can sponsor me and make a difference too."
Holmes, who has been one of Australia's dominant watermen of the past decade said he was really proud to be a Get Wet for Whales Ambassador and to be devoting his upcoming preparation for the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Iron Man Series to a great initiative.
"IFAW is working to create and maintain whale sanctuaries and also takes a lead in the fight to end commercial whaling," said Zane Holmes.
"By signing up for Get Wet for Whales or sponsoring me, everyone can go get involved."
Get Wet for Whales asks you to gain sponsorship for a session of your favourite water sport.
It also draws attention to the threats whales face today and gives the public an opportunity to do something to help in a fun and active way.
Visit www.getwetforwhales.com.au to sign up for Get Wet for Whales or to sponsor Zane or Courtney.
With today's Get Wet for Whales launch, a string of events running for National Whale Day tomorrow (July 2) and the recent release of the report What's a whale worth? Valuing whales for National Whale Day, IFAW is at the forefront of whale conservation and the fight to end commercial whaling.
- Courtney Hancock: Courtney is the current Australian Ironwoman and IronWoman Series champion and winner of the inaugural Karla Gilbert Medal 2011. She was born in Perth, grew up in the waters of Sawtell and now lives on the Gold Coast. She has been competing professionally since 2008 and is a multiple State and National champion. competitions. She has been in the top three of the Coolangatta Gold for the last three years and will realise her dream as the complete Ironwoman if she can win the Gold on September 25 she will be the first person to win the Australian Championship and the IronWoman Series in the same calendar year.
- Zane Holmes: Zane has been competing as a professional ironman since the age of 17. He has won five Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Series titles; two World Ironman Championships, the Coolangatta Gold, the Australian Championship and six Queensland Championships.
- IFAW: Founded in 1969, IFAW saves animals in crisis around the world. With projects in more
than 40 countries, IFAW rescues individual animals, works to prevent cruelty to animals,
and advocates for the protection of wildlife and habitats.
For more information, visit www.ifaw.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
- The 63rd meeting of the International Whaling Commission is 11th-15th July in Jersey, UK.
Media enquiries:
Isabel McCrea (02) 9288 4900/ 0412 594 923
Email. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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