Storm Rider Israel

The Storm Rider event started in Israel in 2002 and since then it has happened every year during the biggest storm of the year in February.

The event is also the Israeli championship and as well an International Event. In 2006 it was PWA Qualifier.
Taking place in the best beach of Israel for waveriding, "Bat Galim" Haifa.
A few years ago it was planned to built a big marina and to destroy the windsurf, kitesurf and surf spots. All the water people got together and saved the best beach in Israel.



For the last two years an Israeli sailor named Shachar Gal, "flaka", decided to take the event few steps further. He worked very hard to make it happen.
This year he got many sponsors for the event: Red bull, Jagermeister, Olympus, Quiksilver, Sepa, Hot Sails Maui of Israel, Gasstra Israel, Fanatic Israel, North sails Israel, Starboards Israel, Severne Israel, Neilpryde Israel, JP Israel, & Academy for Sports.

The best 38 sailors in Israel were invited for the Storm rider 2010. The event had a holding period from 1 of January. On the 25th of January a big storm hit the beaches of Israel and everybody went early to Bat Galim. The event started in winds of 30 knots. The first heats were the Juniors under 19, and the level was very high and there was very good action. After that the Open started and the conditions were not easy. Wind from 30 to 18 knots side on shore and waves of 2 meters. For the final it was Adi Zomer, a very experience and talented sailor who won this event few times, and Eyal Shelef, Hot Sails Maui and Quatro team rider. The final was in onshore conditions that were very challenging and in the end it was Eyal who had better moves.



In the same time of the event there was a contest of photographers for the best picture of the event. It was great idea. There were many photographers, and many good photos.



A week later there was a big party for choosing the best picture and to announce the winners.

In the Juniors it was Yarden Mair first place and in the Open, Eyal Shelef.

After the festivities, Eyal said "For me, just to be part of this great event was very fun. For the last few years I missed this contest because of being in Maui or in Brazil. The years that I did compete, I got 3rd and 4th, but this year I knew I could do it. Definitely the new Hot gear help me a lot and my Quatro boards are magic.