Photo: godwentsurfing.com
When you think of Gaza, surfing probably isn’t the first thing that springs to mind. But there are, it turns out, surfers in Gaza, young Palestinians sharing waves and battered boards that they managed to get into the country before Israel shut down the borders in 2006 after the election of Hamas.
This unlikely situation inspired Alexander Klein, 27, to make God Went Surfing with the Devil, a film premiering this summer about trying to bring 23 donated surfboards into Gaza.
Here’s an excerpt from an interview with Klein from Surfer Magazine.
How did you decide to call the film “God Went Surfing with the Devil”?
Klein: It’s actually a quote from Dorian “Doc” Paskowitz who is an 87-year-old surf legend in Israel and one of the co-founders of Surfing 4 Peace. He said, “God will surf with the Devil if the waves are good.” And I thought it was a good metaphor for how surfing can bring people together.
What was the most difficult part of getting boards to Gaza?
Klein: Israel has a policy right now that says only humanitarian goods are allowed into Gaza. Obviously, that was a problem because surfboards aren’t necessary to live. But the guys from Surfing 4 Peace argued that recreation is a huge part of people’s lives, and it’s a wonderful, peaceful activity that not only helps people, it also poses no risk to others. It was a huge battle trying to convince a room full of generals that these surfboards did not pose a military risk to them.
So did you eventually get the boards into Gaza?
Klein: You’ve got to see the film to find out.
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