Zane Schweitzer – Happy Birthday

Posted on September 16, 2023 by Water Words

It has definitely been a year to remember for Starboard Dream Team member, Zane Kekoa Schweitzer. He turned 30 this month, capping off three decades of living life to the fullest – and full of gratitude and aloha. As Zane says, “Life moves fast!”

Zane’s grandma Carolyn always reminded Zane of how important gratitude and living a full life is. (You can immerse yourself in Zane’s life philosophy woven into incredible stories by reading his book BENEATH THE SURFACE)

Looking back on Zane’s many Instagram posts (Follow here) and watching videos on his YouTube channel – Subscribe here) there is so much wisdom, joy and zest for life shared with us all. For example Zane describes this summer as the the best summer yet. Zane and his beautiful wife, Kim, began the journey of parenthood with the birth of their son Kāheleāwai. Zane shared this, “So grateful for the amazing life I get to lead, and so grateful for everyone who has influenced me along the way. Can’t believe I’m coming up on my 3rd decade of life, and feeling more grateful, mindful and motivated than ever! Mahalo e ke akua!!!”

In early August the unthinkable tragedy – the Lahaina and Kula fires – struck Maui. Along with so many members of the West Maui community, Zane and his brother Matty (Island Eye Productions) took the lead in a tireless effort to help out the community in every way that might be needed.

Tireless is an absolutely inadequate word for their dedicated work and inspiration to others. The crucial issue of so many people having lost not only loved ones and friends, but also their homes struck Zane as a problem in need of an immediate solution.

I saw a video created by Daniel Nguyen of Delta Visuals that tells the story better than mere words can. Daniel describes his video story like this: Big waves, and big heart. Zane has risen up to the occasion of trying to find a solution for his community. His own parent-in-laws have been displaced by the fire-losing everything. He has taken them in and housed them, like many others in West Maui. Wanting to find a sustainable solution for the long term that can be replicated by many others willing to host those displaced, he has come up with the following idea.

After being given a tiny home prototype, Zane wants to mass produce this idea across West Maui so that those affected do not have to leave their community. In addition to allowing the host families to have some breathing room in their efforts. Personally funding the development of this idea, and giving graciously back to his community, Zane is one of many who has chosen not to wait for a government relief project. Opting to help the community that he was born and raised in, foregoing all previous priorities to provide what he can.

If you would like to support Zane and his efforts, please reach him at @zaniac1 and consider donating to the Non-Profit Organization in his bio. mauicommunityalliance.com @kahakukahi @riveroflifehawaii @madeinhope

You can access the video here: Maui, Lahaina Fires Community Outreach: Zane Kekoa Schweitzer https://youtu.be/4_uK7xZz0N8

Does MacGyver FreeWing?

Posted on September 11, 2023 by Water Words

Oh yes, a female MacGyver does FreeWing and that’s a good thing! Do you remember watching the MacGyver series in the mid 1980″s? MacGyver was shown to possess a genius-level intellect, proficiency in multiple languages, superb engineering skills, excellent knowledge of applied physics, military training in bomb disposal techniques, and a preference for non-lethal resolutions to conflicts. But this past Sunday, I was the MacGyver and it’s a dran good thing that I was or I would Have missed my last opportunity to zoom around Elk Lake with my Starboard AIR FreeWing V2.

Here’s the situation. In a few days I will be getting a knee replacement. My 74 year old left knee is toast. In order to keep playing hard on and off the water it needs to be replaced! I looked at the Wind App and realized that the only day between Sunday and my surgery that there would be any substantial wind at a local lake was – SUNDAY at Elk Lake.

I packed my gear and headed on up there with a picnic lunch, a sweet beach chair and lots of excitement. A “last day” for anything holds much expectation. Once I got my new knee and rehabbed, it would be winter here in Oregon. So this special day was IT! And beautiful Elk Lake did not disappoint!

By 2:00 the wind had filled in as perfectly as possible, so I got ready to inflate my 5M FreeWing AIR v2. That is when I noticed that the nozzle that I needed for inflation had fallen off (again) from the wing pump. I was left with a notched nozzle that does not fit into the inflation part of the wing. I am now at a sparsely populated beach an hour from my home with no way to inflate my wing.

Telling myself to THINK – I looked around at what I had. And then I saw it. The best waterproof sunscreen EVER comes in a cardboard (not plastic) tube. My AVASOL sunscreen tube fit perfectly over the female inflation part of the wing. The pump’s hose now needed a 1/2″ nozzle to insert for inflation. There was none.

The valve and nozzle I needed is shown above the pump hose I had at the lake. My “MacGyvered” solution is the AVASOL cardboard tube duct-taped to the pump hose. And blissfully the setup worked well enough to fill my wing. Not to ideal inflation, but enough for a couple of great hours zooming around on the lake!

You know, when summer is ending and surgery is looming and you are looking at your 75th birthday, it’s time to grab all the gusto and make the best of every day on the water.

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Even though Avasol has been my face sunscreen of choice since Zane Schweitzer introduced me to it half a decade ago, I am an even greater fan now! The environmentally friendly cardboard tube saved an amazing winging day!

Talk about saving the day! Listen to this podcast about Zane and his ‘ohana – and the work they are doing for their Lahaina community.

Save Our Ocean: Carolina Cup

Posted on April 28, 2018 by Water Words

The 13-mile Quiksilver Waterman Carolina Cup lived up to its reputation as one of the toughest races going, but this year it was hailed as even more fun than ever. A course reverse allowed for some calm flatwater and downwind bumps that added excitement.

Zane Schweitzer book signing with NC Coastal Federation Board member, David Cignotti

A different sort of excitement was playing out at the North Carolina Coastal Federation. As the non profit and featured recipient for funds raised at the event, Catherine Snead, who has the role of development for the Federation, decided to get creative and connect with Zane Schweitzer for a unique collaboration. For each book, Beneath the Surface, sold at the Carolina Cup, $5 would go to the Federation. nccf-booky

Catherine arranged for a life sized poster of Zane to be at the booth so people could have a selfie “with Zane.” The most fun was when Zane spent time at the booth chatting with readers and doing what he does best – sharing stoke and the Zaniac way of doing things.

You can get your copy of Beneath the Surface directly from Zane or on AMAZON. (ebook or print version)

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Life Is Balance: Don’t Mind Falling In

Posted on March 26, 2018 by Water Words

On the back cover of the recent Spring Issue of Standup Journal there is a beautiful Starboard ad with the headline, “Life is Balance.” SUP Yoga is beautifully portrayed. I love that – but I am hungry to kick up my downwind game and hone my balance in a different way. Like Starboard and their Starboard Blue program, which balances their carbon footprint with offsets to improve the environment, standup paddling is more than what we do on the water.

Retirement was on my mind – retirement from racing and maybe even from “work.” But I connected with Starboard “Dream Team” waterman, Zane Schweitzer a few years ago and things changed. Zane and I are neck deep in amazing projects and I love every minute. Working with Zane hit me with a huge dose of what he does best – Innovate and Inspire. zaniac arms up

During Zane’s BENEATH THE SURFACE book launch events here in Bend, OR I watched him eat his whole plant based diet, train hard with what was available and hit the snow and the water with equal enthusiasm and joy. I caught the “Zaniac” bug. Spring may be showing itself as winter here in Bend, but paddling on the rivers and lakes (when they thaw) is on my mind.

Also on my mind is a bold move – branching away from my awesome Astro Deluxe 12’6″ Touring board (at 31″ wide and stable) to the Inflatable Allstar 12’6″ X 27 with Airline Deluxe Technology – yup, just 27″ wide. I turn 69 in June – growing into the “elder” part of Elder SUP pretty quickly. Why would I move to a less stable board at this point?

starboard blue As Zane says, “If you’re not growing, you’re dying.” I love to grow – and learn and practice. I know that “Life is balance,” in every meaning of the word. Balance is a characteristic skill of young athletes – and the young at heart. I am willing to learn, practice and grow.

Talk about “Life is balance,” here is a bit more about Starboard Blue and how they offset their carbon footprint. Did you know that for every Starboard Stand Up Paddle Surfing board sold, they plant a mangrove in the Thor Heyerdahl Climate Park? Mangroves are “Miracle Trees” and are really efficient at removing massive amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere – 1 ton over 20 years to be exact making Starboard “Carbon Net Positive.”

Want to learn more – visit star-board.blue

Watch this video for a comparison between inflatable and composite construction in the Allstar line. Inflatable is my construction of choice – easy to store and great to travel with.

Beneath the Surface – With Zane Schweitzer

Posted on November 19, 2017 by Water Words

Photo by Matty Schweitzer – Mat5o Media

It’s almost like having a visit from Zane on Christmas morning, Your favorite paddler, surfer or Ocean Enthusiast will dive right into this first edition book before the last piece of pumpkin pie has been served.

Click below and get ready to be the most popular Santa on the beach! (Sold on Amazon.com)

I know it seems impossible to imagine InZane (Zaniac) Zane Schweitzer sitting down long enough to wrote a book. The truth is in the title, BENEATH THE SURFACE! Because Zane has been keeping a daily journal since was 13 years old, all of his adventures, challenges, journeys, travel, friends and family stories were there – ready for this incredible collection of life stories. journal write zane

Enjoy this video while you wait for your books to arrive.

Progression Technique:SUP & Ski, Snow & Sea

Posted on February 26, 2017 by Water Words

I recently had the absolutely joy of watching the “Progression Project” film Nine of the world’s top SUP surfers hit the waves with Erik Antonson of PaddleWoo. Antonson is responsible for some of the most progressive media in paddlesports, producing free content via his PaddleWoo podcasts and blog posts to help expose and advance the industry. The Progression Project documents nine of the world’s best standup paddle surfers in Costa Rica showcasing the sport in its most progressive form in one groundbreaking SUP film. Left to right in the photo above: Sean Poynter, Caio Vaz, Ian Vaz, Kieran Grant, Fisher Grant, Zane Schweitzer, Giorgio Gomez, Erik Antonson, Mo Freitas and Noa Ginella. (Featured Photo above: Chandler Williams/Modus Photography)

The film is now available at no charge online. Erik explains why he is offering the film for free, “My hope is that by releasing it for free, we get some curious surfers to watch the film and realize there is so much more in paddle surfing than they realize.” A brilliant way to bring understanding and mutual respect out on the water.

The film hit home in so many ways.Let me start with a totally unrelated story – the first chair lift ride of my ski season at Mt Bachelor this year. We were heading up with a snowboarder talking about skiing vs boarding. Since the guy did both, he was balancing his joy in each sport as both different and very good. One statement he made about skiing, just an off-hand comment, changed my entire season.

Just like the guys in the Progression Project film talked about small things they learned from each others style and technique away from competition, the guy shared one insight and it made all the difference for me. He simply said, “I love that feeling in skiing when you initiate a turn with your toe and move to mid-foot, then the turn locks in so easily.”

He might have said more, I don’t know, because that one statement stayed with me. I didn’t think I was much aware of the exact mechanics I engaged when initiating a turn – so many things to think about. But that one statement, stuck and my technique and level of fun on the show has soared this season.

In the “Progression Project” film again and a again each of the water athletes is interviewed and each share what they observe, respect, appreciate and can analyze from the very people they perform against in competition. One small thing, one observation could bump a skill up a level. It was great to experience the camaraderie and fun these elite athletes maintain. The shared respect for each other and for their sport – and the most amazing SUP surfing footage you’ll enjoy again again – make this a unique and special project!

A huge “mahalo” to that guy on the chairlift! And to all the athletes in the Progression Project. I may have even subconsciously picked up a SUP surfing tip, too.

Watery Gratitude: Thanksgiving Reflections

Posted on November 24, 2016 by Water Words

I look out my Bend, Oregon window this morning to a stormy sky and a gnarly wind whipping a snowstorm towad the mountain – the solid “wave we surf all winter. There is no paddle along a sunny stretch of water this Thanksgiving, but there is indoor time to pause, reflect, celebrate a mindful approach to living that has been honed sweetly by nearly eight years of standup paddling. As a pumpkin pie bakes I am full of watery gratitude.

The sport, the physical training of SUP, the people and places, the challenges, the waves, the glassy lakes, the quiet moments of mindfulness, the adventure, the journeys and the incredible impact standup paddling has had on my life as I close out my 7th decade. I am so very grateful for the timing.

In November and on Thanksgiving it’s an easy practice to think about all we are grateful for. The gift of time on the water is a solid connection to nature. Grateful for surviving a thorough working over by the late takeoff or for the gift of being alone on a river stretch as the setting sun gilds ripples and blazes the sky in color.

At events and competitions the inspiration for gratitude is there if we are awake and aware enough to see it. Elite water athletes supporting while pushing each other to unimagineable limits. Being on the start line with all ages facing equal weather and water adventures. The smiles, the energy, the camaraderie within a solo sport that connects us in a caring community.

Early in my standup and surfing experience I was impatient, anxious and often frustrated. I had a habit of focusing on what I didn’t have or do have rather than what I did have. By watching, reading about, listening to and paying attention to what so many of the athletes in SUP shared, I started to learn, to hone new habits of both awareness, acceptance, patience and gratitude. The ego always wants more, especially if other people have it, to satisfy our sense of worth, to satisfy our happiness. But the truth is, we don’t actually need anything to satisfy our happiness, our happiness lies within us. We have the gift of being on the water, catching waves, currents, the wind. Let’s not miss what we are so fortunate to experience.

Often we “Elders” take the time to share our experience, talents and time as mentors. What an incredible way to practice gratitude by giving. Sometimes the younger generation, from toddlers to elite athletes easily one third of our age demonstrate the power of living life with giving and gratitude. A Facebook post from Zane Kekoa Schweitzer brought this home to me this morning, “There’s no thankful without grateful.” Simple but true. Zane lives his #innovateandinspire life slogan by sharing and giving back tirelessly. That really reminds me that “GIVING” might be the most important part of the THANKS.

From the website of Zane Schweitzer: ABOUT – Zane cares deeply for the wellbeing of others and the preservation of our planet. In 2012 Zane and his family co-founded “Stand Up for the Cure”; a Stand Up Paddle Event that has raised over $800,000 for uninsured cancer patients in the past 5 years alone. He founded his own “InZane SUPer Groms”; where he teaches children at home and around the world how to surf and share Aloha while taking care of each other and our oceans. He is a Global Ambassador for multiple organizations such as Mighty Under Dogs, Access Surf, Thera Surf, Surfer’s Healing, One Ocean, and more.

Happy to have been a part of two Standup for the Cure events in 2016

Recently, Zane has taken on the role of a motivational speaker at School’s here in Hawai’i and across the U.S, sharing his inspirational message of Innovate & Inspire by Sharing Aloha Around the World. Teaching the next generation the importance of following their dreams by finding what is important to them and then sharing it with others. Living a healthy and active lifestyle while learning our responsibility of taking care of our planet by making it a better place for all. Zane lives this daily.

Mighty Underdogs & Access Surf 2016 O’ahu from Mat5o Media on Vimeo.

Shelby Schweitzer – Power of One

Posted on April 22, 2014 by Water Words

There must be something unique in the water at the Schweitzer home. This closely connected family shares a powerful spirit of aloha and giving to community wherever they are in the world. Elder SUP recognizes Shelby Schweitzer, still in high school, and the way she connects her love of surfing to living a pono life. She truly demonstrates the POWER OF ONE.

shelbyvheck Helping and volunteering with Thera Surf and Surfers Healing (video) has really influenced Shelby’s adult teen life. In order to have the time and flexibility to travel Shelby decided to finish her senior year online before heading to college in Southern California.

According to Shelby, ” Sports, travel, and volunteering run in our family. My father was 18 times windsurf world champion, my mom was a National Champion, my brother Zane is a windsurf, surf and Standup paddle champion, and my older brother Matty is one of the best big wave surfers there is. We all travel to compete, and every where we go, we give back to the local communities by doing a free Schweitzer Sports– Sports Clinic. We regularly donate boards, paddles, money, books to the communities we visit. My family is very close and we love traveling together.”

Shelby starts at the beginning when she was just 13, “My first year traveling to Nationals to compete in the NSSA Surfing event in Southern California I was invited to volunteer at the Paskowitz Surf Camp in San Diego. It was an amazing experience, and it made me realize that volunteering for others, fills my heart and I get more back than I give!!

The owner Izzy, is such an awesome, inspiring guy, a former pro surfer, who stopped professionally surfing when his child was diagnosed with Down Syndrome. Since then I have been so blessed to have worked with kids with special needs teaching them surfing with Thera Surf, Surfers for Autism, Standup for the Cure, and our own Schweitzer Sports Kids Clinics. Every time I volunteer at an event it is such a spiritual experience!”

Volunteering for TheraSurf in Mexico with my brother Zane, is an another event that really impacted Shelby. Jimmy Gamboa and his wife Kim have a son with special needs which inspired them to create TheraSurf, an organization takes kids with special needs surfing. They serve youth that would never have the experience otherwise.

Most of these kids had never been in the water, never mind never on a surfboard. They end up having the time of their life. Shelby explains, “The children we taught, in Sayulita, Mexico did not speak my language, but communication was not needed. The look on their faces was more than words could describe. The parents of the children said that they had never seen their child so happy in their entire lives. That is exactly what we instructors absolutely love to hear. No feeling can compare to the feeling of changing a child’s life. It was my first time working with children with extreme handicaps, and seeing their faces light up when they are in the water. I am proud that my brothers Zane, and Matty have done clinics like these all over the world for underprivileged children as well.”

shlkeby-cure1 Standup for The Cure is the Schweitzer family’s biggest source of pride. Their aunt, Judie Vivian founded this organization 3 years ago after struggling with breast cancer. Judie Vivian and Shelby’s mom, Shawneen, came up with the idea while on the beach one day. Then Rob and Judie Vivian took the idea and turned it into an annual event that has raised almost $200,000 to date for Susan G Komen Foundation. They set a Guinness Book of World Records for the Largest Standup paddle lesson in the world!!!. This year’s event is May 3rd in Newport Dunes, California. They expect over 1,000 people this year, and will be teaching people to Standup paddle for free all day.

For Shelby, it’s personal, “I feel so blessed and honored to be apart of such an amazing event. Working at Stand Up for the Cure has given me gratitude for my health and motivation to help others. Every year we raise over a hundred thousand dollars towards finding a cure for breast cancer, which is important to me since my grandmother and my aunt have breast cancer. We can watch it change peoples lives right in front of us!”

The amazing experience Shelby had working at Stand Up for The Cure inspired her to work with Surfers Healing. This is a volunteer program that gives autistic, handicapped and challenged children the opportunity to go surf. Shelby’s life has been changed, “I can’t help but tear up thinking about how happy and joyful the kids are when they are out in the waves on a surfboard with me. And I just keep volunteering. I love to surf, and I love to be in the water, and I want to be able to share that small joy with people who other wise wouldn’t be able to!”

Shelby’s Bio:

SHELBY’S BIO: Born and raised on Maui, I have been surfing with my family my entire life and competing in NSSA Hawaii, an inter island scholastic surfing tour since I was twelve years old. I love flying over to compete at contest’s on Oahu, Kauai, Big Island, and my home island Maui. At the end of the NSSA year, tour surfers who qualify are eligible to compete at Nationals in California. I have had the honor to compete in California three years in a row and I will be surfing at Nationals again in 2014. Its always fun to surf with some of Americas best surfers. Other California events I have been qualified to surf in were the Jr US Open of surfing. Ten of the top short boarders of Hawaii are chosen every year to compete in it. I felt honored to have been chosen for the 2012 competition. I also am on the invitational listing for the Sayulita SUP Classic, last year was my first time to the country and I loved the experience! Since I am very close with the family who run the HSA and NSSA contests I personally convinced (and politely begged them) to get a standup paddle division in their 2012-2013 tour. I was ecstatic to get an email back from the NSSA event organizers confirming NSSA will have a women’s and men’s SUP division. The first contest I was the only woman competing for SUP, but it has continued to grow. The 2013-2014 event has grown even more, and I got to watch it grow and grow every contest seeing guys and girls get out and shred on stand up paddle boards.

I definitely know that I, along with the rest of this years SUP competitors, have the honor of competing in Hawaii for the first full NSSA Standup season! And I am proud to be representing Hawaii to compete at Nationals in California for the Standup Paddle Championships. I hope to follow in my brothers’ footsteps and be able to travel the world competing, sharing my love of the ocean and spreading aloha where ever I go.

Other passions of mine are windsurfing, Bikram yoga, singing and art. I hope to one day have my own line of activewear for yoga and ocean sports for women and as I travel to compete and I can promote my clothing line and music. I have also been featured in Starboard catalogs since I was 11 years old for windsurfing and standup paddling.

I had so much fun competing at the kekei fun windsurf races at Kanaha when I was younger. Free Surf magazine also has featured me both surfing and modeling for my sponsor; Pakaloha Bikinis.

I have also gotten a full page in WSM (Women’s Surfing Magazine) for short boarding, and most recently featured in Sup the Mag on a story about our family. I am so proud to be part of my family and love being able to be a part of this awesome sport I love so much! I hope I will always be able to share my passions with the world through my volunteer work!

Elder SUP

Connecting Across Generations and Oceans

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