Surf’s Up for Peace

By Sarah Kricheff August 22, 2007

Can Israelis and Palestinians find common ground in the water? Legendary San Diego surfer Dorian Paskowitz hopes so. This week, the 86-year-old retired doctor donated a dozen surfboards to the surfing community in Gaza, The Associated Press reported, with hopes that his contribution will help build bonds between people in the region.

“God will surf with the devil, if the waves are good,” said Paskowitz, who currently lives in Hawaii and has written about surfing and health. “When a surfer sees another surfer with a board, he can’t help but say something that brings them together.” According to Tel Aviv surfer Arthur Rashkovan, 28, Paskowitz’s donation is part of a project called Surfing for Peace, which is working to bring together Middle Eastern surfers.

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