John Zeigler is well known and highly respected as one of the very few athletes in the world who have rowed across an ocean. In 2001, he was a member of a two-man team representing the United States of America in a Trans-Atlantic Rowing race that spanned from Tenerife, Canary Islands to Barbados, some 3300 statute miles. John is a native New Jerseyan, a father, business owner, and US Navy veteran, having served as a 2nd class petty officer in oceanographic research. He is a graduate of Long Island University, Southhampton Campus.

John's love of boats and the ocean led him to build his first canoe in 1981. Three months after completion, he decided to compete. Rather than a conventional start in the racing world, he opted to challenge himself by entering the General Clinton 70 Miler, the nation's longest and most prestigious one man canoe race. There he distinguished himself as a formidable competitor. Clearly, he excelled in human powered craft and so sparked the beginning of a successful competitive career. A true sportsman and avid sailor, John is always eager to share his expertise with other members of the paddling/rowing community

John Zeigler's accomplishments, in addition to the Trans-Atlantic row, include National Sprint Champion in the United States Canoeing Association (USCA) and a world record holder on the "paddle ergometer", both in 1998. John continues to challenge himself both physically and mentally. As a founding member of the East Coast Outrigger Association (ECORA), he has participated in hundreds of races all across the US, including Hawaii. He has been instrumental in organizing several paddling events such as the "Liberty Challenge" international outrigger race in New York City, and the annual "Sandy Hooker" one man outrigger race in New Jersey. John has traveled all over the globe competing and proudly representing his country recently as a member of the United States Dragonboat Senior team. Recent competitions brought him to Ayuttaya, Thailand and Quin Pu, China. Australia in 2007 is a good possibility.

Boats and competition became a hobby and obsession for John. His success motivated him to start a second business in 2004 making creative trophies and awards using a state of the art laser. He specializes in acrylic plastics and recently engraved a world map that was displayed in the Ralph Lauren flagship store on Madison Avenue, NYC. In addition to his engraving work, John is currently working on laser cut boat models. Soon he will be offering half hull kits for sale to model makers. He has carved over 70 half models and is currently building his 6th boat. His full time vocation is a partnership with his brother in a wholesale food business and a 12 hour day is quite normal.

Both a physical and mental competitor, John Zeigler pushes to challenge his limits and strive for excellence. In any given year, he can be seen in rowing, or paddling in dragonboat, outrigger or marathon canoe competitions. His favorite expression is
"see you on the water".