GAZA, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Khalil Abu Jayyab surges across the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Gaza City, his surfboard swaying gently with the waves, his balance honed through years of practice.
With each wave he rides, the 18-year-old Palestinian feels as if he is briefly transported to another world, far removed from the war and daily hardships surrounding him.
"I used to go to the sea at sunset whenever conditions allowed," he said. "When I can stand on the board and face the waves, I feel that I can control my life too. This feeling gives me hope that I can persevere despite everything happening around us."
Since he was five years old, he has been practicing under his father's guidance, learning to balance and read the waves. "I grew up connected to the sea, and I feel that a large part of my life was shaped by these waves," he recalled.
Before the latest round of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that erupted on Oct. 7, 2023, Gaza's beaches were filled with surfers who trained regularly and took advantage of the coastal environment. Many of them in Gaza aspired to participate in international competitions and gain experience by competing with athletes from around the world.
Abu Jayyab was one of them. Before the conflict, he and his friends formed a 17-member surfing team, training almost daily on Gaza's beaches to improve their skills.
"We dreamed of traveling, competing in world championships, and meeting international athletes," he said.
The war has drastically changed the scene. "Now, training is limited, and we often train individually or in small groups," he said, adding that they also try to preserve a limited number of boards so they can continue practicing.
The challenges are shared by most surfers in Gaza, who struggle daily to keep practicing.
Among them is 19-year-old Abdul Rahim Al-Ustaz, who has been practicing surfing for five years and considers it a central part of his life.
Al-Ustaz said that surfers face not only a shortage of boards but also a lack of basic training materials, including surfboard wax used to prevent slipping while riding waves, explaining that a surfboard in Gaza has become more than sports equipment.
"The board is a real treasure for us," he said. "Getting a new one or replacing it is not easy, so we take care of the boards we have as best we can."
Additionally, due to the Israeli blockade, surfers in Gaza have largely relied on self-training, with limited access to professional coaching or external opportunities.
Despite the constraints, the sea continues to offer psychological relief.
"When we're on the waves, we forget many of the worries and pain we experience," Al-Ustaz said. "This sport gives us a different feeling and helps us persevere."
Experts say sports in Gaza play a role that goes beyond physical activity, serving as an outlet for psychological stress.
Psychologist Fadil Ashour said that residents of Gaza have been exposed to continuous shocks that have affected all aspects of life.
He said sports and recreational activities help young people express emotions and reduce stress, adding that there is a need for safe spaces for sports and social activities, as well as psychological support and rehabilitation programs to help people cope with ongoing crises. ■
