Al Hagal
THE NEED
The teens arrive at HaGal Sheli from ‘Last Chance’ schools, youth boarding schools, youth improvement programs, and institutions for youth with a criminal record. The teenagers come from low socioeconomic conditions, some with a criminal history who dropped out of the formal education system or were on the verge of dropping out.
THE SOLUTION
By facing the unique forces of the sea and overcoming the challenge of surfing, the participants are instilled with the self-confidence and sense of achievement necessary to propel them through equivalent life challenges.
OUR VISION
We strive to be a significant youth organization
that impacts the lives of thousands of at-risk youth
From vision to reallity
We are Omer and Yaron,
two friends who met 12 years ago as undergraduate students studying education. We had an immediate connection and quickly became best friends. Between studies and surfing, we came up with an idea to combine our passions – educating at-risk youth and surfing.
We began with 10 boys and girls we voluntarily instructed for a year. We made a deal with the group; we will teach you to surf under one condition: that you go back to school.
At the end of the year, all 10 teens returned to school. Their self-esteem soared, and we did not doubt that we were on to something. We noticed the tremendous impact and wanted to expand the program to help more boys and girls in Israel.
We quit our jobs, took out loans, bought surfing equipment and insurance, and founded HaGal Sheli.
Today, we operate educational surf centers across Israel, educating hundreds of groups and thousands of at-risk youth annually.
Our Journey
2012
Yaron and Omer team up. Studying, surfing, and dream of greater things.
2012
Launching a pilot in Tel Aviv, with a group of 10 teens.
2013
Yaron and Omer quit their jobs, taking up loans. HaGal Sheli is born!
2014
Grand opening of the first educational surf center at Bat Yam Riviera beach.
2015
Launching a new educational surf center in Kfar-Galim.
2016
Launching Al HaGal social business, which provides decent jobs to our graduates.
2017
HaGal Sheli counts 1,000 graduates
2018
The Speaker of the Knesset Prize for Quality of Life
2018
Midot seal of effectiveness
2020
'Young mentors' program "takes off -the students become surfing instructors!
2022
"Circles" program starts - intended to instill the graduates of our educational program.
2022
We are opening an educational surf center in Kiryat Yam in memory of Shmulik Tzvion with the help of fundraising and “Bedarchecha”, which was also established in his memory.
2022
Launching a new educational surf center in Maagan Michael
2023
Launching a new home in Jaffa with partners from Australia
2023
Launching a new educational surf center in Hadassa-Neurim
2023
Launching a new educational surf center in Naharriya
2023
Launching a new educational surf center in Ashkelon
2024
Launching the emergency program "Tools from the Waves" for those affected by the Iron Swords War.
2024
HaGal Sheli (My Wave) at a historic meeting at the White House in Washington DC.
2024
The Knesset Speaker Quality of Life Award
HaGal Sheli statistics
13,500
Graduates
490
Process groups
380
Team members
11
Educational surfing centers
Growth and imapct
2022 in numbers
2,000
educational sessions
18,000
surfing sessions
3,051
graduates
Boys & girls distribution
Distribution by religion
Religious affiliation
*according our graduates
HaGal Sheli's Multicultural Approach
We all surf the same waves, use the same gear and are equal. HaGal Sheli’s educational program utilizes surfing as an empowering educational tool for at-risk youth. We are focused on cross-cultural peacebuilding initiatives through surfing. Our participants arrive from all walks of Israeli society, including secular and religious Christians, Jews, Muslims, boys and girls alike.
HAGAL SHELI’S MULTICULTURAL ENVIRONMENT
Each of the group members face the same difficulties in water. The same waves, currents, winds and surfing conditions. Sharing the challenge brings the group together!
The joint encounter with the forces of the sea and waves generates dialogue between youth experiencing difficulties and challenges regardless of race, religion, or gender.
Teens develop leadership skills in a multicultural environment whose foundation promotes trust, nonviolent communication, and cooperation to nurture shared society.