Zane Schweitzer SUP Crossing



Left to right: Elle Cochran, Youth In Motion Director Clare Seeger, Zane Schweitzer, and Shawneen Schweitzer
Photo by Matt Schwetizer

Stand Up Paddle Team mates Elle Cochran, 14 year old Zane Schweitzer, and Zane's mom, Shawneen Schweitzer raise over $1800.00 for Molokai's Youth In Motion Charity

Youth In Motion Molokai Challenge was held Saturday August 30th to raise money and awareness for Molokai's Youth In Motion Organization. Stand Up Paddler Elle Cochran decided she would like to paddle the 13 mile channel from DT Flemings to Kamolo Harbor on Molokai to raise money for the under priviledged youth of Molokai. She has successfully raised money for many other charities including serving as President for MauiUnites organization. She enlisted friends, Shawneen Schweitzer and her 14 year old son, Zane Schweitzer to paddle the channel with her. Elle had already raised over $1,200.00 by the time Zane and Shawneen had joined on board.

Zane is a professional windsurfer and has traveled the world competing in windsurfing events. Recently his sponsor, STARBOARD, started making Stand Up Boards (called SUP boards), and Zane started competing in SUP events as well. Zane is a freshman at Maui Preparatory Academy and thought this fundraising event would fit in perfectly with the volunteer hours he needs for school credit. Zane got to be a part of the Makahiki Festival on Molokai last year, and decided the SUP event would be the perfect way to give back to the island teens. So instead of windsurfing over to Molokai to fundraise as he and his family had done in the past years, the Schweitzers decided to join forces with Elle Cochran and pledge to raise more money. With generous donations from friends and family, and the support of local businesses, Maui Jim Sunglasses, Pitzer Built Construction, Maui Surfboards, and Schweitzer Sports, the team was able to raise over $1800.00 dollars!

Maui County Lifeguard Captain and accomplished waterman, Archie Kalepa was asked to join forces with the team. Archie's invaluable experience helped lead the way as he single handedly paddled the entire 13 mile crossing! Elle, Zane, and Shawneen paddled as a team. With Archie's previous experience paddling the channel, and Captain Matt Schweitzer following along as a safety boat, the four were able to make it over to Molokai safely.

The 13 mile crossing was held in unusually Northern winds and side shore waves which made the crossing much more daunting for the paddlers. They battled the wind, waves and Pailolo Channel currents the entire crossing. When they reached the shores of Molokai the SUP paddlers were greeted with flower leis by Youth In Motion director Clare Seeger, and many of Molokai's youth. Archie Kalepa reached Molokai's shoreline first in just over 3 hours, while the Youth In Motion team arrived in just about 3 hours and 45 minutes.