‘Fortunate to walk away from it’: World champion surfer hospitalized after being run over by a boat

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A well-known Maui waterman is recovering after being injured in an accident on the water on Maui’s North Shore.

30-year-old Zane Schweitzer says he was out training for a stand-up paddling competition last Tuesday when a wildlife encounter led to an accident that could have turned deadly.

The ocean sports world was shocked to see Zane Schweitzer in a hospital bed in a post on his Instagram page.

The Maui waterman is known for charging huge waves and has repeatedly earned him the title Master of the Ocean.

Schweitzer was on a stand-up paddle board training run about a mile off Maui’s north shore a week ago.

“All of sudden, I have these dolphins riding behind me on the same swell,” Schweitzer said.

He took advantage of the rare and beautiful moment and jumped off his board to look below the surface.

Schweitzer says his escort boat was in front of him; he didn’t notice the boat had turned and was headed back toward him.

“They probably noticed the dolphin pod. I noticed the commission and had the only time to lift my head up and put my hands in front of my face, and the boat hit me dead on in the face … the prop and the engine got me on my back, and the lower part of the body.”

Zane says he suffered several hairline fractures and cuts from the propeller blade on his face and back.

“As watermen, we always have to find a lesson to walk away from. Whether it’s a win or a lose, or wave beat down or whatnot. I consider this situation a win in that I was fortunate to walk away from it.”

While in the hospital, Schweitzer missed attending the ESPY awards in Los Angeles, where fellow Maui surfers were honored for helping their community after the Lahaina wildfire disaster.

He also missed the Paddle Imua contest.

His rehab will take about two months.

But he’s still grateful.

“At the end, I have nothing but love and forgiveness for all parties involved, including the boat operator.”

He’s now sharing his story, hoping to help others avoid preventable mistakes.

“It’s not always the 100-foot waves or the Gail force winds that are the biggest dangers in the water. It’s the choices we make and the people we surround ourselves with, and we have to be really cautious because oftentimes the biggest hazards are people and crafts.”

Schweitzer has received more than 1,000 well wishes online; he wants to thank everyone and plans to get back in the water as soon as possible.

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