Ashley Welling
News Assistant
When searching for an end to violence in war-torn nations, most would not assume surfboards could be the answer. But, one Pepperdine alumnus, Seweryn Sztalkoper, sees things a little differently.
“A lot of people look at this idea and wonder, ‘What is the point of what you are doing? How is this going to bring about a peaceful solution,’” he said. “Well, we aren’t trying to solve the problem, we are trying to give these kids another outlet versus some kid putting on a vest and blowing himself up. If they get the same kind of feeling I get when I surf, I know it will be all worth it.”
Since graduating in 2005 and then spending five weeks in the Middle East, Sztalkoper has taken steps to combine his passions, the Middle East and surfing by creating and directing The Gaza Surf Relief, which provides surfboards to those who do not have the means to obtain their own.
“I hung out with a lot of international students when I came to Pepperdine,” Sztalkoper said. “Some of them were from the Middle East, so that really sparked my interest in learning more about what was taking place and the turmoil that they had to face every day.”
Coming to America in 1985 from communist Poland, and returning to visit later after communism fell in 1989, Sztalkoper said he is now aware of the changes a country can make. He said one of his hopes is to see this change within the countries of Israel and Palestine.
Located next to the border of Israel and claimed as a territory of Palestine, the Gaza Strip has become a place of violence and separation. With missile attacks, suicide bombings and parades of tanks being a daily norm on the streets of Gaza, Sztalkoper is searching for a way to bring the citizens some peace.
Sztalkoper said after reading a Los Angeles Times article written in May 2007 by Louise Roeg, he became inspired to make a difference.
“The article said that all the people of Gaza needed to be peaceful with one another was surfboards,” he said. “I read this and then I thought, ‘If that’s all they need, I will give it to them.’”
Shortly after the article was published, Sztalkoper set in motion his idea to create a relief organization.
Cofounder and Artistic Director of the Levantine Cultural Center Jordan Elgrably also read the article and decided to used his own experiences to help Sztalkoper’s relief program.
“I believe that providing surfboards to would-be Palestinian surfers in Gaza is a great outlet,” Elgrably said. “I’ve been working on co-existence projects with the Israelites and Palestinians for over a decade, and this was just a natural progression.”
Soon, he received 25 donated surfboards from local surf-shops and overseas manufacturers. With all the shipping fees totaling $10,000, waived by Dalsey Hillblom and Lynn (DHL), said he felt his plans taking shape.
Soon his relief program joined with two other similar organizations, Surf for Peace and Explore Corps. Director of Explore Corps Matthew Olsen helped Sztalkoper take his ideas to the next level. Because Olsen’s father had been a Consulate for the United States government in the Israeli embassy and his girlfriend also worked there, he had connections.
Coming up with the idea and making it happen, however, were two separate things. Sztalkoper would soon find this out.
In May of 2007, Olson was finally able to get the boards ready to cross the Israeli-Palestinian border into Gaza. However, there was a new issue to face: the relations between an influential Palestinian organization known as Hamas, notorious for suicide bombings and other attacks, and the Israeli government were straining. These tensions resulted in the closing of the border. Only people and basic necessary items could cross.
Olson then decided to take matters, literally, into his own hands. Grabbing hold of two surfboards and placing one under each arm, he crossed the border past the guard tower with armed soldiers and crossed successfully into Gaza.
He was then able to secure a six-month pass to cross the border after his initial crossing. Sztalkoper said it was then that everything seemed to be going their way.
“At this point we thought, ‘Man this is going to easy,’” he said. “The last thing we saw coming was problems within Gaza itself.”
Soon after hearing of their ideas, the Israelite Naval Commander decided to halt their plans. The commander was weary of granting the Gaza citizens access to surfboards because of his fear that they would use them as a method of attack. He was unaware that they already used surfboards on a daily basis. This development, along with new laws for non-profit organizations within the region, dampened the spirits of those looking to reach out.
“It’s just really frustrating, it’s just always one thing after the other” Sztalkoper said. “But, right now we are able to provide at least 15 kids with supplies they can rent and use to surf. I haven’t met them yet, but I hope to.”
With all the turmoil and stress that has come hand-in-hand with this relief effort, Sztalkoper said his only hope is to show these young Palestinians they have options that don’t include violence and that maybe someday, they can reach peace.
09-25-2008