Israeli Surfing Club Hosts Memorial Competition for Beloved Instructor Killed in Gaza
Ido Aviv, a young surfing instructor from Carmiel, became a cherished member of the Surf Cycle club in Kiryat Yam after a chance meeting at the Sea of Galilee. Aviv, known for his curly hair and warm personality, quickly became a mentor to hundreds of children and teens, fostering their growth and love for the sea.
In October 2023, following the outbreak of the Iron Swords conflict, Aviv was called up for reserve duty as an armored support soldier in the Yiftach Brigade. On April 28, 2024, just hours after returning home briefly, he was tragically killed in a friendly fire incident in central Gaza, alongside another reservist, Sergeant Kalakidan Mehari. Aviv was 28 years old.
To honor his memory, the Surf Cycle club is organizing a "Wing" surfing competition on the morning of Friday, more than two years after his passing. The event, open to the public, will feature group races on a giant SUP board and individual contests with judges, scoring, trophies, and prizes. Aviv’s younger brother, Shaked, emphasized that the competition will celebrate Ido’s joyful spirit rather than focus on grief.
Aviv’s father, Mark, described him as a "child of the sea," passionate about all forms of surfing and deeply connected to the water. Club owner Gil Horvitz praised Aviv’s positive attitude and ability to connect with everyone, while fellow instructor Ben Sassi highlighted his exceptional talent for communicating with children. Aviv’s family and the club community remember him as a supportive older brother figure and an anchor for those around him.
Despite his family’s pleas to avoid further reserve duty, Aviv remained committed to serving until the conflict’s end. His brother Shaked, who joined the Israeli Navy seven months after Ido’s death, credits Ido for inspiring his love of surfing and the sea. The Surf Cycle club, which also supports therapeutic surfing for special needs and trauma-affected individuals, invites everyone to attend the memorial competition to experience Ido’s light and continue his legacy of growing Israel’s surfing community.
