Zane Kekoa Schweitzer

I have many goals I would like to accomplish in my life in many different sports, but for now I am working to accomplish my goals of becoming World Champion of the Stand Up World Tour and Stand Up World Series!

I am also consistently trying to improve myself as an overall athlete and continue to innovate and inspire those younger & Older to never limit themselves in any aspect of life! I love to teach and train kids in different Watersports to share the love and opportunities that these Extreme Sports have brought into my life.

At 21 years old I am very grateful & honored to have been able to participate in so many great events around the World. Some of my greatest achievements would be; 2014 “Master of the Ocean” Overall Winner, IFCA JR world champion in windsurfing, European CUP champion of the Stand Up World Series, 2x Turtle Bay Final champion of the Stand Up World Series, Overall Champion of Abu Dhabi grand Slam apart the Stand Up World Series and Stand Up World Tour, Huntington Beach Pro “Champion” US SUP Tour, 2014 Stand Up World Tour Pioneer Award, Grom (Junior) of the year at the SUP awards nominations, Ghost Rider Enduro Junior Champion 80mile Dirtbike race, and many many more..

Although if I had to dream of what my best achievement would be in the future it would be World Champion in at least 3 different Sports. 

There are many obstacles and difficulties involved in the many sports that I practice… Especially when it comes to the dedication of endurance and hard training to be at the top of the world rankings for the Stand Up World Series of SUP racing. Some of the events we compete in are up to 32 miles long and very exhausting and painful especially when in tough conditions upwind or up current, against natures forces.

But for me one of the biggest difficulties is leaving my family and home to follow the world tours that I am apart of, the last 2 years I’ve been away from home competing in over 25 events and 10 months out of each year on the road.

When it comes to Surfing competitions it is also very physically & mentally demanding. You are being judged on your performance and wave selection on the clock and it’s important to pull everything together and not stress in those heats. But through all the Hard Work & dedication, along with months on end away from home, I wouldn’t trade anything for the World!!

When it comes to being satisfied, there is no greater feeling than getting barreled or drooping in on a 20ft+ wave! It’s a feeling that is truly indescribable… When you kick out of a wave all I can think about is getting back out there and doing it all over again.

With windsurfing, it’s the most in touch with nature I believe I can get. When I’m harnessed in, sailing through the middle of the ocean with no one in sight and no distractions in the world, it is a true feeling of euphoria as you are harnessing the elements of Mother Nature at its best! As Ironic as it is, it feels like Motocross in the middle of the Ocean!

At home on the west side of Maui, or across the channel on Moloka’i, I can always find somewhere to practice with nobody in sight… Sometimes it’s needed to get out into the water by yourself, and let Mother Nature make the decision on what toy will be the right piece of equipment for the day.

Every day in Maui there’s something to do, it just depends what the weather and conditions will be like that will make the call on what to train on… If the wind is up, windsurf or a downwind long distance Standup paddle, if the waves are good, go surf or stand up paddle surf, if there’s no wind or waves, go dirt bike in the mountains, diving or fishing, or training Standup paddle racing.

But I love to practice and train with my family, they are all bad ass and very talented in all the sports I love. There’s no secrets with my brother, sister, dad and mom, just motivation and support.

For me it’s always important to mix things up, and always have fun. That’s the reason why I started these sports I love, and even though things are getting more serious with training and endurance exercises, I’d like to have fun till my last breath!

Because that’s the roots of it all!  I am an adrenaline junkie and like to be as active as I can throughout the day, so a lot of the time I am trying to pack as many sports I can into one day. Aside from my serious training and exercises of course…

I try not to be nervous… What has helped me recently with that is knowing that I’ve been through it all, knowing I am prepared, and being confident with my ocean knowledge and skills in what I am doing. But of course I always want to showcase my best and I am definitely one to be competitive!

My biggest fan is probably my grandma! She always wants the best for me and follows everything I do…She has always been my spiritual advisor and mentor, to help me stay on the right track and keep positive. She sees the best in everyone & everything without any judgment. 

Throughout my life I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by some of the best watermen in the world, thanks to Maui. I have learned a lot and been inspired by Guys like Dave Kalama, Archie Kalepa, Laird Hamilton and of course my father. My Father is 18x world champion windsurfer, champion surfer and motocross racer, and a pioneer as a waterman and big wave surfer, is the biggest influence for me.

He has always been there for me and has taught me the roots of everything I know today. Some of the most important pieces of advice I have learned from him is to do the best I can, treat everyone with respect and always be humble, or in his words; “what’s most important is that thing on your shoulders, never let that head get too big, but never underestimate your true potential”.

But the advice that has been directly effective to my career and even advice that has potentially saved my life once or twice would be; In serious conditions and big surf and even every day, always use the buddy system and be aware of potential hazards in and out of the water… Be Aware. Another piece of helpful advice for big surf would be to be patient and selective, try not to catch the first wave of the set because there could be stacks on top of stacks of bigger ones behind it, And one of my favorites I learned from Dave Kalama; don’t fall..

I have many plans and goals in my future, but I always want to be an inspiration, as I have been inspired by my heroes and the sports that have brought so much joy and opportunities into my life… I want to be able to create a foundation from what I am doing now to reach out to a much larger group of people to share the importance of chasing your dreams and being passionate about what makes you feel in balance and happy. Most importantly, I aim to share the importance of treating the ocean and the land with respect and the people around you with love, so that my children and future generations can have the same opportunities & experience that we all have today. I want our future generations to be able to enjoy the best playground in the world; our Mountains & Oceans.
I also look forward to starting a family of my own, with a beautiful, healthy, loving and active wife and 2 boys and one girl ;) haha just like my family

I’ve always loved to teach Watersports, and share my knowledge and experience with the generations to come! It’s been a passion of mine sharing the love for these sports with kids ever since I was a child. Today my brother and I own & run Maui Sports Adventures. A water sports school and camp for kids and people of all ages to bump up their level and knowledge on the water.

The biggest advice I can give to the kids or anyone getting into Watersports or SUP, (which is a great way to be introduced into the water) is to paddle with a friend and always use a “buddy system” to keep an eye on one-another and also help to push each other! Also to be respectful to others in the water and be aware that there is a system of respect and always know that Safety is always first especially when practicing a sport in the ocean or water; use a leash, stay in safe areas, be aware of your surroundings and possible hazards and always use the buddy system!

But most importantly always have fun, and start and finish with a smile!