My Kayak Coach - follow-a-dream

Name: Kirsty Holmes

Dream: 2010 - To win a third Australian Ski Race Championship

Age: 36

What do you do for work? Firefighter

What do you like doing outside of paddling? Surfing, travelling, painting and hanging with friends and family.

What ski do you paddle and why do you like it? I paddle a Fenn Elite for ocean racing...I like it because it runs beautifully in swell/runners and I find it stable and comfortable.

A Dolphin ski for surf racing – Some may say I’m bias but it is by far the superior ski for both punching through surf and running swell/runners.

Career Highlights:

• 2 x Australian Open Ironwoman Champion 1996, 2000
• 2 x Australian Open Ski Race Champion 2001,2004
• 5 x Australian Surf Lifesaving Team Rep (1997 – 2003)
• Goodwill Games Ironwoman and Board Race Champion 2001

Competition Results:

• 5 x Molokai Champion (1 ski, 4 Outrigger)
• 2 x Australian Taplin Relay Champion
• Australian Open Board Race Champion 1996
• 3 x Queensland Open Board Race Champion
• QLD Champion - Open Ironwoman, Board Race x 3, Ski Race x 2
• 1999/2000 Queensland SLS Competitor of the Year
• Uncle Tobys/Meadow Lea Super Series – Race winner (Piha, NZ)
• 3rd Uncle Tobys/MedowLea Super Series Overall 1998
• Multiple World, Australian and State Championship medals in Ski, Board and Ironwoman events.

What do you eat before a race: Fruit and coffee

What is your training schedule: These days I paddle an average of 4 times a week, a couple of runs, yoga, some core work and I’m trying to get back into swimming twice a week (struggle –yet to be achieved)! Surfing takes priority though if the waves are pumping.

Ability to read the ocean

What do you need to improve: My dedication to train more.