Surfers Reaching Out

The story in it's entirety will be published in Surfer's Path come October 2013. The Video-Blog below is a simple introduction to two of the characters in Tel Aviv who are reaching out to their local communities and the Arab neighbors.* 

In Tel Aviv, surfers say, there is "no religion in the water" and firmly believe in promoting a peaceful community. 

Just 8 years ago, Arthur Rashkovan created Surfing 4 Peace as a way to reach surfers in Gaza, Lebanon, and Turkey. This year, the group added Paddle 4 Peace promoting paddle boarding. Paddle 4 Peace will be participating in this year's International Peace Day in France, with the the support in Paris on the Canal Saint Martin. It will be the first 'Paddle 4 Peace' event of it's kind. They are inviting surfers, non-surfers and peace supporters to join their event which will be followed by a presser at the Comptoir General where Surfing 4 Peace will officially announce it's first Mediterranean surf contest to take place in Marseille in 2015.  Tel Aviv's Arthur Rashkovan will be attendance and you can check http://medcup4peace.org for more information.

Maya Dauber is also a strong community leader teaching young people and women of all ages to surf the waves, paddle-board and even skateboard. Her goal is to engage her students not only in sport but a unifying experience. 

*You can see my full report in the October 2013 in Surfer's Path Magazine, UK. Stay tuned with http://ashgallagher.com