- Alice Martins
Gaza is well known in the world for many reasons, but a lesser-known fact is that Gaza gets some pretty great waves. In 2008, Explore Corps launched the Gaza Surf Club and the program has been a hit since, receiving broad coverage from international media.
Today, the group has grown to 30 surfers, and each one of them has his or her own surfboard. The club, which has no political affiliation and does not represent any government entity, has been thriving despite the obstacles they face in the region.
Among Explore Corps’ goals for the Gaza Surf Club is to connect Gaza surfers to the international surfing community through online tools, facilitate the development of a surf industry and promote ecological awareness for coastal development. The Gaza Surf Club also holds a series of workshops each summer on an array of topics from surfing etiquette and surf exploration to equipment maintenance and repair, with an emphasis on using locally available materials.
Next year, Explore Corps plans to open a multipurpose clubhouse for surfers to serve as a headquarters for the Club’s activities. The clubhouse will host workshops, movie nights, a professional board repair facility as well as serve as a social space to build a stronger community and host guests.
For more info – http://www.gazasurfclub.com