Yes, there are surfers in Gaza...now don't that beat all!
SURF'S UP IN GAZA - Gaza has become an unlikely surfing enclave. California surfer Don Paskowitz moved to Tel Aviv in 1956 and set about popularizing his favorite hobby in his new homeland. In 2007, at the age of 86, Paskowitz decided to bring the gospel of surfing to Gaza. Today, a small but dedicated subculture has embraced the hobby.
http://www.undispatch.com/...
I diaried about this dude a couple of years ago.
"We want Palestinians to enjoy the surfing experience. We believe it brings people together," Israeli surfer A. Rashkovan said. The idea is for people to forget about the violence and follow the journey to peace on the waves.
And with these thoughts in mind Dorian Paskowitz gave a dozen surf boards to Palestinian wave riders in Gaza.
Righteous. So not only are there motorcycle enthusiasts in Gaza as noted here, made possible by the astounding fact that 8,000 motorcycles have been smuggled into Gaza in the last year, there are hard core surfers as well.
In their rickety wooden lifeguard shack, Mohammed Abu Jayyab, 35, and Ahmed Abu Hasiera, 29, not only watch over the women swimming in their black robes and headscarves and the boys splashing in groups or the men washing their horses — they also keep a constant eye open for rising waves.
A few years ago, there were only two surfers in Gaza. Now there are at least 20, bobbing out at sea as bemused Gazans look on, some of them sitting in deckchairs by the water’s edge, smoking waterpipes.
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A loose organisation called Surfing 4 Peace grew, although because of the strict travel restrictions in and out of Gaza, neither Ahmed or Mohammed has ever been able to meet any of the Israeli surfers involved.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/...
That's a day to look forward to. Israelis and Gazans sufing together. It'll happen.
Even some Hamas dudes surf. Doubly Righteous. er maybe that should read, doobly righteous. smirk/
The obvious question, then, was: does Hamas surf? "Hamas guys do surf," said Ahmed, adding that so did members of Fatah, the rival faction, who fought and lost a bitter battle for control of Gaza in the summer of 2007.
"Americans have a war in Iraq and they play football with Iraqis. We are all Palestinian citizens, there’s no difference in surfing between Hamas and Fatah. In sports, there is no war."
As one poster noted on the linked page:
Good on you guys - this is exactly what the point of surfing is about. The waves can be relied upon when everything else is falling apart. Carry on, fine sir's.
Ejaz, Sydney, Australia
Surfing for peace. Catch the waves brothers. Spread the gospel in Gaza!
As Dan Paskowitz said:
God will surf with the devil, if the waves are good, Paskowitz said. "When a surfer sees another surfer with a board, he can't help saying something that brings them together."
"There is a wisdom in the wave . . ."
http://www.sptimes.com/...
moon