After a 4-year hiatus, the "Storm Rider" extreme surfing competition is returning to Haifa with a bang! The competition, in which 37 of the best windsurfers in Israel will compete, will be held this coming Thursday (March 20.3.2025, XNUMX), next to the newly established surfing club in the Bat Galim neighborhood. The opening and closing ceremonies of the competition will be dedicated this year to the commitment of the surfers and seafarers to the return of all the kidnapped.
Among the participants in this year's competition will be Tom Reuveni - gold medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Tamar Steinberg - world champion under 23, Shahar Tsobari - bronze medalist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and European champion in 2009 and 2010, and Tomer Shamgar - winner of the last competition. Haifa surfer Arnon Dagan - former vice world and European champion and professional surfer on the PWA surfing tour, and Olympic medalist Shahar Tsobari. The "Extreme" competition in high-wave windsurfing was last held in 2021.
The "Storm Rider" competition is the only windsurfing competition in the country, held on the windiest day of the year, with extreme weather conditions, with strong winds of about 50 km/h and waves about 6 meters high. Dozens of windsurfers, who will come from all over the country, will compete among themselves for the best surfing performance, using the waves as a kind of springboard and performing giant jumps and somersaults to a height of up to 20 meters. Also among the athletes who have already guaranteed their participation in this year's competition: veteran judge, Ziv Dori, will lead an experienced team of judges, in which this year former world champion, Lee Korzitz, will also take part.
The Storm Rider competition began about 20 years ago as a local initiative by the Dagan brothers on Bat Galim Beach in Haifa, which is considered one of the best beaches for windsurfing due to the unique sea conditions that exist there. This year, Moran Tapiro, director of the surfing community, Just Surf, will join the Dagan brothers in producing the competition.
Meanwhile, it should be noted that the city of Haifa is the surfing capital of Israel, and there is nothing more symbolic than the return of the "Storm Rider" competition to the beaches of Bat Galim - the place where it began. This year, alongside the spectacular performances of the best surfers in the country, the competition will be dedicated to the commitment to the fight for the recovery and return home of all the kidnapped. Sea lovers are invited to come and enjoy a surfing experience that will surely be breathtaking!
Ahead of the intriguing competition that will take place this Thursday, Arnon Dagan, the competition producer, said: "We are excited to bring the water sports culture in Israel to a new peak, here in Haifa - with the best conditions for surfers and the magnificent view of Bat Galim Beach. I invite all Haifa residents to a powerful and unforgettable experience - to see the "crazy" of the waves and wind flying into crazy jumps in huge waves. An extraordinary sporting event, at the new surfing club with covered viewing stands, announcers, music and an amazing atmosphere. So come and come and don't miss it!"
Shame. A legal revolution is taking place here. The crook decided to murder the hostages and you are busy surfing instead of immigrating to Jerusalem and saving the country?
Great.
It should be noted that the surfing center established under the bridge is functioning very partially.
And it looks pretty ugly from every angle. A magnificent achievement for whoever designed this awful thing.
A beautiful, pristine beach area has become a monstrous interchange, ugly construction, and a strip of sand of only 5-10 meters.
This is how Israel's coasts are being destroyed and the new phase of the casino monster is 7 stories high and 50 meters wide. A huge block that will block the sea from waves.
What time does the surfing competition take place?
Why doesn't it say what time it starts?
Great, what time does it start?