GOD WENT SURFING WITH THE DEVIL

Matt Olsen
Matt currently splits his time between the US and Gaza, where he is working on the development of a variety of programs including the Gaza Surf Club and promoting Surfing for Peace. He founded and serves as the Director of Explore Corps, a U.S.-based, 501c(3) non-profit organization implementing unique, youth-focused projects in outdoor education, recreation and the arts.

Arthur Rashkovan
Arthur was born and raised in Tel Aviv and is one of the founding members of Surfing 4 Peace. Arthur is currently working as the brand manager for Gotcha Europe, still skating and surfing as much as he can. His greatest recent achievement is fatherhood..

Gil Keren
Gil is a 16 year-old Israeli surfer living in Ramat Aviv, a suburb north of Tel Aviv. When he's not in school, Gil can be found representing the Israel Under-18's on the international contest circuit. Today, Gil Keren is a professional surfer and is still competing in Israel and recently attended the world championships in Peru thanks to the support of his primary sponsor, Billabong.

Mofeed Jabar
Mofeed is a 14 year-old Arab-Israeli surfer from Jaffa, the ancient Arab city bordering Tel Aviv. He started surfing two years ago, when his brother-in-law, Abedullah, gave him his first surfboard. Mofeed enjoys swimming at the port, eating toasted tuna fish sandwiches with his friends Mahmoud and Mahmoud and of course, surfing. Today, Mofeed stopped surfing and is currently working in an auto body shop, fixing cars.

Yousef Abughanem
Yousef lives in Gaza City and is the son of a fisherman. He is currently training to be a professional lifeguard. His sister and female cousin are now learning to surf with the support of Gaza's surfing community. Surfing 4 Peace is working to equip the two new female surfers in Gaza with wetsuits, boards and special swimwear that will allow them to surf in this conservative society.