Catching Up! On the Road Summer-Fall 2018
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In between doing philanthropic work with Rotary Clubs in Thailand last spring and The Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge in Hood River Oregon in August, I was able to be home for only a few days and take part in a very special event to me and many Maui kids. This event is the Bob Ole Longboard Classic! Back when I was three years old, this was actually the first competition I ever won! I was stoked to get on the podium this year, 21 years later! I placed third behind legend Hawaiian long borders, Mau Ahee and Kaimanna Takayama.
I have the opportunity to travel to amazing events all across the globe, but sometimes being in my home Hawaiian waters is the best.
Check out the images to the right - from my first contest at age 3 to my most recent win at the
Ventura Surf Championship.
It has been a Summer and early Fall to remember.
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Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge
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The Columbia River Gorge is carved by the forces of the mighty Columbia River which separates
Washington
and
Oregon.
On many days of the year this area is a playground for
windsurfers,
kitesurfers,
standup paddlers
and
Hydrofoil
riders of many crafts. On windy days the river has a rolling wind swell that is great for gliding with a foil or ramping with a windsurfer! I was stoked to be part of the very first Hydrofoil class in this iconic event.
VIDEO HERE
Our class was won by Jeffrey Spencer in a race that was so much fun all the way. In 2nd place was Ryan Funk, followed by Finn Spencer. I was happy to nab 4th place among these pioneers of our Hydrofoil racing class. Congratulations to local Hood River waterwoman and Starboard teammate, Fiona Wylde for her overall win for the event SUP downwind and technical races.
Hood River is a magical place with a great community of paddlers and the Naish Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge shares that magic with the world. It’s worth a visit if you’ve never made it.
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ZANE TAKES DOUBLE WIN AT VENTURA SURF CHAMPIONSHIPS
AND HOSTS SUPERGROM CLINICS
In between the Pacific Paddle Games in Dana Point and the Red Bull Heavy Water in San Francisco (mid-October 2018), my girlfriend Kim and I road tripped up the coast. On the way we stopped in Ventura for two exciting events including a non-profit kids clinic. InZane Super Groms Kids Clinics teamed up with Pure Stoke for the clinic.
The other event was the Ventura Paddle Surfing Championships. This was a blast as we lined up some great swell and got to partake in not only the SUP surf division but also one of California’s first hydrofoil surf divisions. I was super stoked to take the double win for the weekend. Actually, no matter what the result, I always walk away with a learning experience to improve my game for the next event.
MORE Stories and Pictures Here
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ZANE IS FEATURED IN AN INTERVIEW WITH NBC NEWS
(AND VIDEO)
Mindfulness: Staying Calm Under Pressure
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5 Gyres Coral Triangle Expedition
I was honored and very grateful to be included in this expedition and to be an Ambassador for the extraordinary work of the 5 Gyres team. One of the best ways to understand what we did during the expedition is to
VIEW THE VIDEO HERE.
To be a part of this trip is an opportunity for me to learn more about aspects of my environment closest to my heart. I hope to learn more about how I can minimize my impact to the health issues involved with the ocean. The health of the oceans and reefs have been a big motivating factor for me to continue pushing forward towards my competitive goals. The ocean is more than just a pool of water for me, it's my playground, church and place of refuge open 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
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2ND ANNUAL
STANDUP FOR THE CURE - SEATTLE
Whenever our family gathers to host a Standup for the Cure event (NOW HAVING RAISED MORE THAN $1,000,000) it is a celebration of connection and community. On the shores of Lake Sammamish not even the return of a smoky haze or an August drizzle could take away from the vibrancy of what brought the participating survivors, those currently in the midst of their battle with cancer and friends and family. We all came together to raise money and awareness for early detection of breast cancer.
"To build a community, you need a reason to bring people together, and fun seems a good way to do that, " said Dan Van Dyck, executive director of Standup For The Cure. “We build a community around support and compassion." Mahalo for all your consistent hard work and stoke, Dan.
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Zane Nabs 2nd place in New York at the APP World Tour Paddle Festival
From the iconic Hudson River race around the Statue of Liberty to a day of stormy Sprint Racing through a 3-4 foot swell in Long Beach, the event wrapped up with the APP World Tour’s surfing competition: New York, you brought it all.
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While I was in New York City for the
City Paddle Festival
, I connected with the team at NBC News. Thank you for the great interview and article on how to stay calm under pressure and the benefits of mindfulness.
I was happy to share my strategies to balance my
optimism
with a grounded, calm head space. That plays a major role in both my success during competition, and for anyone in life or business. In my book released in November 2017, “
Beneath the Surface
,” I share the life practices that I credit for the positive attitude and mental strength that has gotten me through my toughest obstacles.
To everyone who thinks I was born fearless, talented, or lucky... I wasn’t. I get scared, humbled and nervous too. There’s many times I can recall those moments of humility or defeat being more of a positive learning and growing experience then my biggest wins. I’ve worked through these emotions by confronting them, and by making sure to take away something positive from every win and every defeat. I’m still working to be my best.
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SUPer GROM OF THE MONTH
Nine year old Jameson Roeber has been a pleasure to coach and share inspiration with over the last three years. He is one of my SUPer Groms that not only has a stoke and burning desire for the ocean and paddling, but has also taken on the responsibility to respect his competitors, friends and the environment.
I love paddling and coaching Jameson because he reminds me of myself as a young waterman- feeding off of his surroundings and finding stoke and inspiration wherever he can while practicing sportsmanship!
Big congratulations to Jameson, InZane Super Grom of the Month, on his recent win in the Super Groms division at the Pacific Paddle Games!
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Zane Kekoa Schweitzer | aloha@zaneschweitzer.com | www.zaneschweitzer.com
InZane and Zaniac are Trademark and Copyright Zaniac, LLC 2017
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