Some lived far from the sea in the tundra of the former Soviet Union. Others came from poor neighborhoods in Israel where beach days were few or nonexistent.
Guy, from Ariel in the inland hills of Samaria, admits that he came to Hadassah NeurimYouth Aliyah Village because of its beautiful seashore location just north of Netanya.“When I learned I could study for my bagrut matriculation exams and become a surfer at the same time, there was no question. I had to study at Hadassah Neurim,” says Guy.
Not only does Guy surf, but he and other advanced surfers have also been qualifying as assistant surfing coaches while studying in Hadassah Neurim's high school. With a shortage of coaches in Israel, the certificate helps open the door to future employment.
It's a tough course. Making the surfing grade means hard work in the early mornings and afternoons on top of schooling and homework. The young athletes need three years of surfing experience, 60 hours studying sport instruction in any discipline and a further 60 hours within the Israeli Surfing Association. The village covers the cost of the training program. Concurrently, Guy and his friends in the program teach local children and adults how to surf.
“I’ve been in this program for two years and love it,” says Guy. “Right now, I am studying hard for my 12th grade exams, but I always make time to surf, even at five in the morning. I hope to continue surfing on weekends while serving in the Israel Defense Forces and then for the rest of my life!”