Tel Aviv Hosts Inclusive Surfing Event for Children with Disabilities at Charles Clore Beach

On a recent Friday at Charles Clore Beach in Tel Aviv, children with disabilities from Jaffa, both Jewish and Arab, participated in a therapeutic surfing event called "Accessible Friday at the Sea." Organized by the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality and the "My Wave" association, the event replaced wheelchairs with surfboards, offering several hours of adapted surfing alongside accessible beach activities. The initiative aims to boost participants' self-confidence and mental resilience.

Seven-year-old Taim Abd Alrazak from Jaffa shared his excitement about surfing and making new friends, saying the experience helped him overcome initial fears and discover new personal strengths. Nine-year-old Ben Ari, also from Jaffa, emphasized the joy surfing brings him and highlighted the friendships formed across cultural lines, noting his best friend is Arab and joined him at the event.

The "My Wave" association has operated for over a decade, providing educational, therapeutic, and rehabilitative programs for at-risk populations, trauma victims, and people with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities. It runs 12 centers along Israel's coast and one in San Diego, California. The Tel Aviv event is part of a broader accessibility effort by the municipality, which includes ongoing programs and accessible zones with creative activities at city beaches throughout August and September.

Yaron Waxman, CEO and founder of "My Wave," highlighted the sea's unique ability to connect people and empower those with disabilities through adapted surfing experiences. Deputy Mayor Tzipi Brand emphasized that accessibility is a fundamental right, not just physical accommodations, and expressed pride in expanding inclusive beach initiatives to ensure equal enjoyment of public spaces for all residents.