Al Hagal
Unique educational model
Our unique educational model, “Head-Body-Head,” was developed by the “HaGal Sheli” team with the latest research. This effective and transformative education model projects successes at sea onto other realms of life by teaching teens how to successfully overcome challenges and cope with failures and dynamic situations while setting and committing to goals.
HEAD
Learning method which consists of a theoretical lessons about all the know-how of surfing
BODY
Surf session, for implementing the theoretical studies
HEAD
Conclusions about ways to integrate the experience surfing evoked
Our Mission
Teach at-risk youth how to overcome life’s challenges through determination and persistence.
AS IN THE OCEAN,
AS IN LIFE
Multi-year educational programs
‘HaGal Sheli’ operates various multi-year educational programs for teenagers between the ages of 13-18 from all walks of Israeli society – Orthodox, religious and non-religious; natives and immigrants; Minorities such as Ethiopians, Russians, and more; Jews, Muslims, Christians; Arabs and Settlers; members of the LGBTQ community; and boys and girls alike.
“Upon completing the year-long leadership program, participants assist “HaGal Sheli” “Lighthouse” surf instructors. Once at-risk teens, participants come full circle, transforming into certified surf instructors and mentors.
“Young Mentor” graduates are allowed to work during the summer as surf instructors in our social business “Al HaGal” offering unique corporate surfing events and team-building workshops.
“Circles” provides teens the opportunity to learn a professional skillset while developing a sense of responsibility. Over a year, participants undergo professional training and mentoring with “HaGal Sheli” instructors and volunteers. Upon completion, teens apply newly acquired skills at “HaGal Sheli” educational surf centers.
Centered around celebrating diversity, “A Place for Life” integrates “Lighthouse” graduates from all walks of Israeli society including religious and secular Jews, Muslims, Christians, and immigrants. Over a year, each group convenes weekly for three hours. During each session, teenagers meet and bond through one unifying passion – surfing. As stated by one graduate, “When in the water, surfing the same surfboards, wearing the same wetsuits, there are no barriers between us.”
“The Lighthouse” fully cooperates with the educational frameworks from which the participants arrive. Together with schools, social service programs, and youth shelters, our staff selects and organizes teens into 10-14-member mixed-gender groups. A school representative accompanies the educational process, attending all fifteen sessions. Weekly reports are sent to the schools to ensure a holistic impact, summarizing each session’s goals and objectives.
“Junior Team” is the final stage in our multi-step educational program, transforming “Young Mentor” graduates into the new generation of “HaGal Sheli” surf instructors. Focused on the sea as an empowering educational tool, participants learn the importance of environmental responsibility and grow into environmental educators and ambassadors. The program accompanies participants into their national/military service and beyond.
“Upon completing the year-long leadership program, participants assist “HaGal Sheli” “Lighthouse” surf instructors. Once at-risk teens, participants come full circle, transforming into certified surf instructors and mentors.
“Young Mentor” graduates are allowed to work during the summer as surf instructors in our social business “Al HaGal” offering unique corporate surfing events and team-building workshops.
“Circles” provides teens the opportunity to learn a professional skillset while developing a sense of responsibility. Over a year, participants undergo professional training and mentoring with “HaGal Sheli” instructors and volunteers. Upon completion, teens apply newly acquired skills at “HaGal Sheli” educational surf centers.
Centered around celebrating diversity, “A Place for Life” integrates “Lighthouse” graduates from all walks of Israeli society including religious and secular Jews, Muslims, Christians, and immigrants. Over a year, each group convenes weekly for three hours. During each session, teenagers meet and bond through one unifying passion – surfing. As stated by one graduate, “When in the water, surfing the same surfboards, wearing the same wetsuits, there are no barriers between us.”
“The Lighthouse” fully cooperates with the educational frameworks from which the participants arrive. Together with schools, social service programs, and youth shelters, our staff selects and organizes teens into 10-14-member mixed-gender groups. A school representative accompanies the educational process, attending all fifteen sessions. Weekly reports are sent to the schools to ensure a holistic impact, summarizing each session’s goals and objectives.
“Junior Team” is the final stage in our multi-step educational program, transforming “Young Mentor” graduates into the new generation of “HaGal Sheli” surf instructors. Focused on the sea as an empowering educational tool, participants learn the importance of environmental responsibility and grow into environmental educators and ambassadors. The program accompanies participants into their national/military service and beyond.
Changing the face of society in Israel
Self Esteem
88%
report improvement in self-esteem
Persistence and commitment
91%
report an increase in persistence ability
75%
of graduates report this was the first commitment they undertook and successfully completed
Teamwork and acceptance of the other
87%
attribute “HaGal Sheli” as the source of their ability to succeed in other aspects of their lives
Educational Framework
92%
of the educational frameworks testified that a significant relationship was formed between the trainees and the instructors in the program
81%
of participants attribute an improvement in learning habits
*as reported by our grduates
Educational partners sharing
Gila Marx
Director of Mafat Alon
"HaGal Sheli" succeeded with sensitivity, inclusiveness, learning and a lot of professionalism to break through many barriers for our youth. It is not obvious that all week the students wait for Friday to arrive when they get up early to go with their friends to an activity at sea. The team managed to adapt the program to our target audience - Bedouin boys and girls from the south, in an exceptional way. The impact is felt all week at school, they come back to us each time with a new success story, a sense of competence, confidence, and pride. You can feel in the corridors who is taking part in the activity and who is not.
Sani Carmeli
Principal of Ort Geula High School
"To succeed once, you have to fail 100 times" but who has the strength to continue past the failure? In recent years, I have been privileged to accompany about ten groups of "HaGal Sheli". In each group, I saw a miracle unfold before my eyes - how a random group of boys whose degree of belief in themselves is minimal (if it exists at all), finish the course with great pride and joy, with a sense of success and with the ability to deal with difficulties. An amazing process that only "HaGal Sheli" knows how to do. The wonderful team of instructors and the professional management team accompany each and every student and the school staff with one of a kind professionalism and sensitivity.
David Hason
Director of Educational Partnerships, Stars of the Desert
"HaGal Sheli" succeeded with sensitivity, inclusiveness, learning and a lot of professionalism to break through many barriers for our youth. It is not obvious that all week the students wait for Friday to arrive when they get up early to go with their friends to an activity at sea.
Safety above all
a constant readiness to invest as required in order to preserve human life, which is the most precious thing. Our main goal is zero life-threatening incidents.
Safety training for the team
Commitment to learning and investigation, training the team in handling risk situations, restriction and strengthening - according to the perception of "if there is doubt, there is no doubt." We are committed to investing as required to preserve the most precious thing of all - human life.
Enhanced student relationship.
We have decided to increase the required ratio of instructors in order to create a safe and enjoyable surfing experience. Instead of a ratio of 1-7, we are now enforcing a ratio of 1-5, at least.
Innovative safety equipment
In addition to the required safety equipment, we use additional measures to increase the level of safety: a team member who monitors the activity from the shore wearing a waterproof wetsuit, water-resistant safety phones, defibrillator, and more.