March 5, 2008, Los Angeles

After several months of legwork and fundraising (including receipt of many boards as in-kind donations), Sev has wrapped all the boards in Los Angeles and they are going out by ocean freighter today, finally on their way to the Middle East! DHL has agreed to sponsor the shipping, which will take an estimated 40-60 days, and we only have to pay the VAT. This means they will arrive in Israel near the end of April, so we're hoping to get the boards into Gaza no later than early May.

We have three Middle East partners, Surfing for Peace, which is run by Arthur Rashkovan; Explore Corps, headed up by Matthew Olsen; and the Peres Center for Peace is our designated NGO on the ground in Israel, which has to approve any shipments into Gaza. Surfing for Peace has in mind an ambitious plan to start up surfing camps in Syria, Palestine and Lebanon, joining Israeli surfers together with Arab surfers in the region in a kind of cross-border solidarity. Explore Corps was looking into creating the surfing camp in Gaza before the latest hostilities made it impossible.

Meanwhile, two American filmmakers are looking into the Gaza Surf Relief story. Hence, going forward, contributions received for Gaza Surf Relief will be used to help in the development and promotion of these documentary projects. Interested supporters can email info@levantinecenter.org for detailed proposals.

Jordan Elgrably
Levantine Cultural Center
310.657.5511

Read September 2007 update.

July 31, 2007, Los Angeles

To Whom It May Concern:

In response to the July 29th LA Times article entitled "Gaza Surfers Find Freedom in the Sea" by Louise Roug, I have decided to embark on a project to donate used/new surfboards and equipment to send over to Gaza. Surf boards for Gaza surfers are in painfully short supply, and often beyond economic reach. Our help is greatly needed.

http://www.latimes.com

Project Gaza Surf Relief

Ahmed Abu Hassan, 28, and Mohammed Jayab, 34, surfers who hang out at the Al Deira beach in Gaza. (Wissam Nassar / For The Times)

This is a non-partisan drive whose purpose is to provide Palestinian youth with the feeling of joy and bliss achieved through surfing, and to provide an alternative way to escape life's daily hardships. Contributions are welcome from everyone and everywhere in the world.

I am looking to coordinate the contribution of at least 25 used/new boards (must be in ride-able condition), leashes, replacement fins, duct tape (for repairs), warm water wax (new only), and rash guards (new or slightly used).

In addition, funding will be needed to bubble wrap the boards and send over the shipment. Any large monetary donation can be sent to the Levantine Cultural Center, whose help in this initiative will make your contributions fully tax-deductible.

Gaza Surf Relief Action Committee

• Seweryn "Sev" Sztalkoper (Gaza Surf Relief Project Manager)
• Jordan Elgrably (Artistic Director – Levantine Cultural Center)
• Erik Andersen (Webmaster – www.gazasurfrelief.com)
• Dave Marshall (Executive Committee Member & Africa Surf Project Coordinator – The Surfrider Foundation, Malibu Chapter)

Partners in the Middle East include Surfing for Peace and Explore Corps.

We are currently seeking a way for international donors to ship boards without incurring great cost. Haithem El-Zabri is working to locate an organization in Gaza that can be used to collect all boards and distribute them properly.

With the help of Louise Roug of the Los Angeles Times, I have contacted Hamada Qammar, a BBC correspondent in Gaza, who has helped us by offering to assist in transporting the shipment from Jerusalem to Gaza, and also by getting us in touch with a photojournalist who can provide pictures of the surf areas.

I also hope to be able to film a documentary of this project so that I may show all those that supported in donations to see how they've helped.

Please pass this on to anyone you know who surfs or who may like to help.

Thanks and please show your support as generously as you can.

Sincerely,

Seweryn "Sev" Sztalkoper
Project Manager
Gaza Surf Relief
310.804.1094

A donation option is at the bottom of this page. To contribute by phone, call Levantine Cultural Center, 310.657.5511, or send checks to Levantine Center, 1012 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90035. Be sure to inscribe "Gaza Surf Relief" in the memo line of your check and include your address and phone number.

UPDATE 8/4/07:

We have already received 3 boards, with another 10 pledged in the Los Angeles Area, 10 pledged from Hawaii, 4 pledged from Costa Rica, and pledged donors from Australia and Portugal.

The responses from friends I've emailed and from a thread I've posted on A Small World, has been a great success, many are interested in helping and constant feedback on this project is coming in.