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
A yearly multi-step educational program is formed.
2014
Grand opening of the first educational surf center at Bat Yam Riviera beach.
2015
Launching a new educational surf center in Kfar-Galim.
2015
Off to Portugal for our first educational journey!
2015
The first ever staff training.
2015
'Young mentors' program "takes off -the students become surfing instructors!
2016
Launching Al HaGal social business, which provides decent jobs to our graduates.
2016
The first softboard championship competition.
2016
"Circles" program starts - intended to instill the graduates of our educational program.
2017
HaGal Sheli’s team grows.
2017
HaGal Sheli counts 1,000 graduates.
2018
The Knesset Speaker Quality of Life Award
2018
Midot seal of effectiveness.
2019
Amir Suraski, graduate of HaGal Sheli, represents in the Knesset’s Special Committee for the Rights of the Child
2019
Light up the Ocean! HaGal Sheli’s teens develop a unique product meant for night surf sessions.
2019
HaGal Sheli hits an astonishing number of 180 volunteers.
2020
Launching the documentary film "Ride the Wave"
2020
First Commune joins HaGal Sheli for Pre-Army service year.
2021
Grand premier of the documentary “Catching the Wave.”
2022
A successful crowd fundraising campaign with "Bedakeh" for Smulik Tzivion allows us to open our third educational surf center in Kiryat Yam.
2022
The fifth education surf center in Tel Aviv-Jaffa with partnership of the Australian Embassy
2022
Establishing a new home in Jaffa together with partners from Australia.
2023
We celebrate a new HaGal Sheli's surf center in Hadassah Neurim
2023
Opening the seventh educational surfing center in Nahariya.
2023
Opening the eighth educational surfing center in Ashkelon .
HaGal Sheli statistics
10,500
Graduates
490
groups in process
380
Team members
10
Educational Surf 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.