A beloved waterman and member of the Maui big-wave community is lucky to be alive. Zane Schweitzer was training for a paddleboard race when tragedy struck.
During the paddle, Zane spotted a pod of dolphins. He decided to get off his board, and swim with the pod. At the same time, his support boat also saw the dolphins, and went to have a look. That’s when the boat got too close and collided with Zane. Sustaining some serious injuries, Zane wound up in the hospital; he’s now on the mend.
From his hospital bed, Zane told the tale:
“While paddling Maliko to Kahului we were surrounded by a pod of nai’a [dolphins]. 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 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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Luckily, Zane’s injuries won’t stop him from doing what he loves. He also shared that, while his recovery is ongoing, he’ll be back in the water soon.
“So grateful to be alive,” he wrote, “let alone to be assured that I’ll be walking and doing my thing again soon.”
Heal up, legend. Stay tuned for updates on how to support Zane in his recovery.
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