Surf life saving set for Maccabiah debut
“The Israel Life Saving Federation (ILSF) is proud and honoured to host the first ever surf life saving competition at the 2022 Maccabiah Games in July in Israel, as an exhibition sport,” its president Paul Hakim announced on December 22.
The sport that is much loved in Australia, and now in Israel, has received full endorsement to go ahead at Maccabiah from the Maccabi World Union and also the International Life Saving Federation.
It will be held at beautiful Poleg Beach, near Netanya.
From a green and gold persepective, this exciting competition is open to young, and not so young, male and female Jewish life savers, who are available to represent Australia at the Games in all the traditional life-saving events.
It will be a unique opportunity for the many Jewish life savers who are members of Sydney surf clubs like North Bondi, Bondi, Coogee, Bronte and South Maroubra – to name a few – as well as Jewish members of surf clubs dotting Australia’s coastline, to participate in the Maccabiah Games.
And it will have special significance for Australian Jews, as it will be the first Surf Life Saving Carnival held in Israel since the Anzac Diggers held one in 1942 – 80 years earlier – at Jaffa Beach.
“This will be a once in a lifetime experience for life savers to participate in the first ever life saving sport competition to be held at a Maccabiah Games, reinstate the iconic Australian life saving tradition on a huge platform, and create Maccabiah history as well,” Hakim added.
However, time is of the essence to form an Australian life saving squad.
Anyone who is interested in joining, should register their interest as soon as possible, as the end of January will likely be the final deadline.
For more information, contact John Roth, a director of Australian Friends of the Israel Life Saving Federation, on 0416 127 488 or email jroth@henroth.com.au.
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