Zane Schweitzer doing Zane Schweitzer things. Photo: Starboard
Talented Maui waterman Zane Schweitzer, who has been at the forefront of SUP surfing, foiling, and big wave riding for years now, was severely injured in a boating accident this week. Schweitzer, whose family helped develop the sport of windsurfing, was apparently off his board during a channel crossing while training for an upcoming open-ocean race. He was eyeing a pod of dolphins when he was inadvertently struck by an escort boat. He posted about the incident on Instagram:
“While paddling Maliko to Kahului we were surrounded by a pod of nai’a, knowing the position of our escort boat being ahead and inside of me, I got off my board to swim with the passing pod — it was beautiful. During my time on the surface watching the pod underwater while holding my arm around my board, the boat and crew noticed the pod also. They must have noticed the pod shortly after I was off my board, and they did a U-Turn to check out the pod. At this moment my VHF floated to the surface and I lifted my head and arm up to grab it and that’s when the boat met with my face.. I was able to push off the bottom of the boat and this may have saved my life as I got a little deeper below the outboard engine, the leg and propellor got me down my back and butt – I thought I was gonna bleed out right there. By the grace of God, the worst of my injury consists of minor propellor cuts, stitches, broken L1, hairline fractured L10, L11, & L12 along with a body that feels bruised from head to toe. Never been so thankful to FEEL, even if it is pain. I can feel, I have sensation and that pain means I can HEAL!! Nothing but love for all involved and I ask for everyone to share that same aloha to all parties in this accident.”
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In October, Schweitzer won the Pan Am Games in SUP surfing and also won the 2016 ISA World SUP title. Zane and his brother Matty were key in helping to organize recovery efforts following the tragic Maui fires. ESPN awarded the Maui surf community with the 2024 Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award, which will be given at the ESPYs this week. Kai Lenny and Matty are in Los Angeles to accept the award.
The comments section on Zane’s post detailing his injury was a who’s who of the surfing world including Nathan Florence, Jamie Mitchell, and more. “Wow,” wrote Kelly Slater. “Glad to hear the relatively good news considering. Heal up! You’ll be back soon enough.”
Zane is married and has a one-year-old child. Get better quick legend!
