Surfing

At 'Post' conference, HaGal Sheli CEO highlights surf therapy's role in national recovery

“Every wave becomes a teacher, and every wipeout is a chance to rise again. We cannot prevent trauma, but we can control what happens next, one wave at a time.”

Yaron Waksman, Co-Founder and CEO of HaGal Sheli (My Wave)
Teenagers arrive tense, angry, lonely, distrustful, and completely closed off, and then have their emotional state change through their encounter with the waves.

When humanity meets the sea: Surfing as a source of solace from trauma

HaGal Sheli session. Waves as opportunities

“The sea saved my life. Now we use it to save others”

Israeli surfer Anat Lelior.

Against the current: Anat Lelior’s fight beyond the waves - opinion


How Israel’s surf therapy teams are helping evacuated teens heal during war - opinion

As a social worker at HaGal Sheli (My Wave), an organization that supports people coping with post-trauma through surf therapy, the sea is usually the setting for our healing activities.

HaGal Sheli team holding activities for teens and children during Purim, at hotels in Israel that house evacuated families and individuals.

Fatal kitesurfing accident at Bat Yam’s Tayo Beach: One dead, two injured due to extreme winds

A 46-year-old kitesurfer was killed and two others injured at Bat Yam’s Tayo Beach after extreme winds threw them into rocks. Authorities are investigating the tragic incident.

Police on the scene of a kitesurfing incident in Bat Yam.

The app that left everyone behind: Israelis’ browsing habits in 2025

In 2025, Israelis spent over nine hours daily on screens, followed the Iran war and hostages’ return, and increased their use of AI and video content.

Man on the phone.

Surfer dies after shark bite at Sydney beach

The death is the first in a shark attack in Australia's most populous city since February 2022.

 Canadian tourist loses both hands in Turks and Caicos shark attack. Illustration.

Waves of hope: Even without setting foot in Israel, I feel more connected to it than ever - opinion

HaGal Sheli isn’t just about surfing. It’s a nonprofit that uses the ocean as a space for healing and growth.

‘ONE DAY, I believe, we’ll stand together on the same shore. We’ll paddle out into the sea – not just to surf waves but to rise above them, together,’ says the writer.

Why an Israeli surfer hid her flag at an international competition - opinion

Unlike all the other competitors in Morocco, Anat Lelior’s national flag was visibly absent from her competitive jersey.

Israeli surfer Anat Lelior.

‘Excitement in the air!’ Team sports live draw held for Maccabiah

The draw included football, basketball, 3x3 basketball, and futsal, in addition to other group ball sports such as ice hockey, rugby, and baseball.

In preparation for the Maccabiah, which will open on July 8, a live draw for team sports was held for ball sports with more than one group. Maccabiah CEO Roy Hessing stated: ‘We are working around the clock to ensure a top-notch sports experience.’

Surfers at risk: 60% of shark bites in 2024 targeted wave riders

Gavin Naylor, director of the Florida Program for Shark Research, noted that the lower numbers of shark encounters in 2024 could simply represent a statistical fluctuation.

 Surfers at risk: 60% of shark bites in 2024 targeted wave riders.

Costa Rica surf retreat: Healing through nature, wildlife, surfing

The mission is to craft programs for Israelis grappling with trauma and disability, providing them with the tools to heal through nature, wildlife, and surfing.

 CARO AGUILAR and Eitam Bedein during a surfing lesson.

Paddle out at Palmahim Beach calls for release of Gaza hostages

Over 100 surfers and kayakers formed a circle of hope at Palmahim Beach, urging the return of hostages held in Gaza.

A paddle out for the hostages at Palmahim Beach on Friday, January 10, 2025.