WATERMAN

“I have been training for this event all of my life without knowing about The Ultimate Waterman.” Zane Kekoa Schweitzer, Hawaii Endurance, Outrigger Canoe and two new disciplines for 2016: Prone Paddleboard and an Underwater Strength Run and Swim. Conditions did not present themselves for an eighth discipline - Big Wave Surfing. The event was conceived by Surfing New Zealand’s chief executive Greg Townsend, who had the vision to develop a new and unique global event to find the best all-round waterman surfing champion of the world. Greg began work on turning this vision into reality in 2011, with the help and support of Hawaiians Titus Kinimaka and Laird Hamilton and Australian Joel Parkinson. The first event was held in New Zealand in 2015. Athletes are handpicked on their abilities and skills across the range of disciplines. New athletes competing in 2016 were Zane Schweitzer (HAW) and 2015 SUP World Tour Champion Caio Vaz (BRA). Returning athletes were Danny Ching (USA), Kala Alexander (HAW), Mark Visser (AUS), Connor Baxter (HAW), Manoa Drollet (PYF) and defending Ultimate Waterman title holder Daniel Kereopa (NZL). Prior to the event, athletes selected one discipline where they can score double points – their double whammy discipline and one that they feel they are the strongest in or have the best chance of winning. The unique competition involved an epic journey throughout some of the world’s most beautiful and untouched coastline of New Zealand. A documentary series that tracks the competition will air on Red Bull TV in September. Here’s how the action unfolded: