The New Ultimate Waterman - Hawaiian Zane Schweitzer
20 March, 2016
22 year old Zane Schweitzer has been crowned the 2016 Ultimate Waterman.
Schweitzer, a late call up for 2016, was the most consistent surfer of the multi discipline event winning three of the
seven disciplines contested.
Today Schweitzer placed third in the 16km Stand Up Paddleboard Race which was enough to clinch the title over runner up
Danny Ching (USA).
“I have been training for this event all of my life without knowing about The Ultimate Waterman,” Schweitzer said.
“Last year I was so bummed watching the event and not being part of it, it hurt. And this year I got a late call up a
couple of weeks before it started and now I hope I have proven that I deserved the call up.”
"I know there are a lot of other athletes out there that suit this event and I look forward to the event growing and
learning off these guys when they become part of it. This event truly broadens a surfer's horizons beyond what they are
used to, it makes them step outside of their comfort zone and try new things. That’s what I love about it,” said
Schweitzer.
Fellow Hawaiian athlete Connor Baxter won the SUP Endurance Race today well clear of Danny Ching (USA). Baxter moved up
in to fourth place as a result of the win, one place behind New Zealand’s defending champion Daniel Kereopa in third.
Schweitzer claimed the Prone Paddleboard discipline on the first weekend of the event before heading south and winning
the Standup Paadleboard Surf on Wednesday and then the longboard discipline on Saturday. Schweitzer also placed fourth
in the OC1, third in the Shortboard and seventh in the Underwater Strength Run and Swim.
Official Results – 16km SUP Endurance
1st Connor Baxter (HAW) – 1:15:16
2nd Danny Ching (USA) – 1:19:26
3rd Zane Schweitzer (HAW) – 1:21:06
4th Manoa Drollet (PYF) – 1:26:46
5th Daniel Kereopa (NZL) – 1:30:18
6th Mark Visser (AUS) – 1:31:52
7th Caio Vaz (BRA) – 1:31:52
DNS Kala Alexander (HAW)
Overall Results
1st Zane Schweitzer (HAW)
2nd Danny Ching (USA)
3rd Daniel Kereopa (NZL)
4th Connor Baxter (HAW)
5th Mark Visser (AUS)
6th Caio Vaz (BRA)
7th Manoa Drollet (TAH)
8th Kala Alexander (HAW)
ends