HaGal Sheli

What HaGal Sheli does

HaGal Sheli ("My Wave") is an Israeli nonprofit association founded in 2013 by Omer Tulchinsky and Yaron Waxman that uses surfing and the sea as therapeutic and educational tools for at-risk youth, trauma survivors, and people with disabilities. The organization operates 12 surf therapy centers across Israel and one international location in San Diego, supported by a team of approximately 500 members including licensed clinical psychologists, social workers, and certified surf instructors. Since inception, HaGal Sheli has worked with more than 20,000 participants across 550+ process groups drawn from 450+ Israeli localities, with cumulative impact continuing to scale post-October 7, 2023 through dedicated trauma and Nova survivor programs.

The organization's core product is the proprietary SEAstem model — a structured therapeutic framework integrating Sea, Body, and Community elements to build emotional resilience and support trauma recovery. SEAstem is empirically validated through a research partnership with Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and operates within the Israeli Ministry of Education's recognized therapeutic framework (program #1789). HaGal Sheli is extending this model into academia through a forthcoming Bachelor of Arts degree in Surf Therapy with Ono Academic College, launching in November 2026, which formalizes surf therapy as an accredited discipline and creates a credentialed workforce pipeline.

HaGal Sheli operates a hybrid revenue model combining philanthropic donations from corporate partners (Bank Hapoalim, Salesforce, Check Point, Teva, Strauss, among others), government and Ministry of Education co-funding tied to its recognized framework, individual giving, and earned income from the Al HaGal social business initiative. Post-October 7, the organization launched a National Emergency Trauma Program and opened dedicated centers in Herzliya (for Nova festival survivors) and Zikim, broadening its clinical offering to acute-trauma and PTSD populations. The combination of a codified therapeutic methodology, regulatory recognition, distributed physical infrastructure, and a diversified funding base positions HaGal Sheli as the leading institutional player in Israel's surf therapy segment.

Name

HaGal Sheli

Legal name

עמותת הגל שלי (ע"ר)

Website

https://hagalsheli.co.il

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

HaGal Sheli is an Israeli nonprofit operating 12 surf therapy centers in Israel plus one in San Diego, using the proprietary SEAstem model to serve at-risk youth, trauma survivors, and people with disabilities through clinical surf-based intervention supported by 500 staff.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Therapeutic Surf Programs

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Surf Schools & Surf Camps (THAAAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Surf, Kitesurf & Wind Sports Adventures (THAJABAK)

Keywords

• Surf therapy programs
• Trauma therapy services
• Therapeutic education
• Nonprofit mental health
• Adaptive surfing programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Bat Yam

HQ country

Israel

HQ region

Middle East

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Philanthropic Support: The nonprofit relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Corporate partners include ironSource/Unity, Papaya Global, Bank Hapoalim, Salesforce, Check Point, Fiverr, ION Asset Management, Pitango, Haifa Group, Electra, Citi, Bank Leumi, Jefferies, and dozens of others. Additional revenue comes from fundraising events such as TECH.NO.DROM.
2. Social Business — Al HaGal: HaGal Sheli operates a social enterprise called 'Al HaGal' (On the Wave) that organizes corporate surfing events, team-building workshops, lectures, and fun days. All revenue from Al HaGal supports the nonprofit's activities. The business employs HaGal Sheli program graduates.
3. Government and Institutional Funding: Programs are funded through partnerships with government bodies including the Ministry of Defense (Rehabilitation Division), Ministry of Social Affairs, National Insurance Funds (Bituach Leumi), and NATAL. These institutions co-finance therapeutic and educational surf programs for their respective populations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

HaGal Sheli is an Israeli nonprofit that uses the sea and surfing as therapeutic and educational platforms to deliver trauma therapy, structured education, and adaptive surfing programs for at-risk youth, trauma survivors, and people with disabilities. It operates 12 surf centers along Israel's coastline, contracts with government ministries, municipalities, schools, and healthcare providers, and applies its proprietary SEAstem Model through programs such as Tools From the Waves, The Lighthouse, A Place for Life, Circles, Young Mentors, Junior Team, Together on the Wave, Al HaGal, and the Zikim Surf Therapy Center.

Product overview

HaGal Sheli is a nonprofit organization that operates therapeutic surfing and educational programs primarily for at-risk youth, trauma survivors, and people with disabilities across Israel. The organization offers a portfolio of programs organized around its unique SEAstem Model: therapeutic programs centered on the 'Tools From the Waves' trauma treatment initiative (for PTSD and acute trauma), educational programs spanning multiple years ('The Lighthouse,' 'A Place for Life,' 'Circles,' 'Young Mentors,' 'Junior Team'), and accessible surfing through the 'Together on the Wave' program. Services are delivered through a network of 12 surf therapy centers along Israel's coastline. The social business Al HaGal provides commercial team-building events that generate revenue supporting the organization's mission. The organization also recently launched an academic B.A. program in Behavioral Sciences with Surf Therapy specialization in partnership with Kiryat Ono Academic College.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Al HaGal (על הגל): Social business entity offering corporate surfing events, team-building workshops, lectures, and group activities by the sea. Run by HaGal Sheli graduates. All proceeds support HaGal Sheli programs.
• SEAstem

Products and services

• Tools From the Waves
• The Lighthouse
• A Place for Life
• Circles
• Young Mentors
• Junior Team
• Together on the Wave
• Al HaGal
• Zikim Surf Therapy Center
• B.A. in Behavioral Sciences with Surf Therapy Specialization

Quantifiable outcome

• 82% of participants reported reduction in avoidance behaviors related to trauma triggers (DSM-5 PCL5 research by Ben-Gurion University)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Zikim Community (Gaza Envelope)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025The Zikim Surf Therapy Center was established in partnership with the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council and a committed network of donors and partners at Zikim Beach — the site of the October 7 massacre. The center represents one of the largest rehabilitation efforts in the Gaza Envelope, projected to serve 7,500+ participants over 5 years.
• Ben-Gurion University of the NegevcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Maya Leventer-Roberts from Ben-Gurion University conducted research supporting the SEAstem model and therapeutic programs. The university conducted a published study on the Tools From the Waves program during the Iron Swords War using the DSM-5 PCL5 scale.
• Ono Academic College (הקריה האקדמית אונו)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunching Israel's first B.A. degree in Behavioral Sciences with specialization in Surf Therapy in partnership with Ono Academic College. Dr. Ariel Ezra teaches at Ono's School of Rehabilitation, Recovery and Social Integration. The first cohort opens November 2026.
• Ministry of Defense — Rehabilitation Division (אגף השיקום)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-funding and co-developing the 'Tools From the Waves' therapeutic program for PTSD patients. IDF soldiers and veterans access the program through this partnership. This is a formal government partnership for trauma treatment.
• Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services (משרד הרווחה)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment ministry co-funding therapeutic surf programs as part of social services for at-risk youth and trauma survivors.
• National Insurance Institute (ביטוח לאומי)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi) co-funds therapeutic programs as part of national trauma response.
• NATAL (Israel Trauma Center)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNATAL provides professional trauma treatment expertise and co-references clients to HaGal Sheli's therapeutic surf programs.
• Israel Trauma CoalitioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThe Israel Trauma Coalition coordinates trauma response across Israel, integrating HaGal Sheli's surf therapy programs into the national trauma ecosystem.
• Kfar IzuncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerKfar Izun is a therapeutic rehabilitation village for people experiencing mental health crises. HaGal Sheli runs surf programs at their Sdot Yam and Herzliya (Izun Arena) locations. The Izun Arena, built in partnership with Eshkol, provides holistic support for Nova Festival survivors.
• Hof Ashkelon Regional CouncilcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership established after October 7 to build the Nitzanim Therapeutic Surf Center and serve residents of the Hof Ashkelon region — children, teens, young adults, and adults — through post-war resilience programs.
• Netanya MunicipalitycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership to establish the 12th center at Seasons Beach in Netanya, with the mayor attending the inauguration. The center includes a social café run by program graduates.
• Ashdod MunicipalityminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership to establish surf therapy programs for IDF disabled veterans at the Ashdod center in partnership with the IDF Disabled Veterans Organization.
• IDF Disabled Veterans OrganizationcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership providing weekly therapeutic surfing groups for wounded IDF veterans at the Ashdod center. IDF wounded veterans access regular therapeutic surf sessions as part of their rehabilitation.
• Bat Yam MunicipalitycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFounding municipal partner since 2014. The city has been a key partner providing beach services and maintaining educational surf center infrastructure. Bat Yam hosted the original center and hosts annual graduation ceremonies.
• Kiryat Yam MunicipalitycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership with Kiryat Yam municipality and the BeDarkecha nonprofit to establish the surf center honoring Shmulik Zevion, a beloved educator from Kiryat Yam.
• Hadassah Neurim Youth VillagecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerYouth village hosting HaGal Sheli's 6th center since December 2023, serving youth from the village and surrounding communities through educational surf programs.
• Kfar Galim Youth VillagecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLongstanding partnership since 2015. Kfar Galim is a pastoral youth village on the Carmel coast that has seen many graduates become certified surf instructors through HaGal Sheli's pathway programs.
• Hof HaCarmel Regional Council / Maagan MichaelcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership with the Hof HaCarmel Joint School at Kibbutz Maagan Michael, hosting HaGal Sheli's 5th surf center since 2021.
• Tel Aviv-Yafo MunicipalitycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLong-term partnership developing into the Tel Aviv Surf Center. The municipality provides beach services and maintains educational surf center infrastructure, and co-funded the center at Jaffa Port with the Tel Aviv Yafo Fund.
• Small Steps (Tzaadim Katanim / צעדים קטנים)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership for the 'Together on the Wave' program providing accessible surfing for people with disabilities.
• Wingate InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSurf instructors are certified through the Wingate Institute (מכון וינגייט). HaGal Sheli's Young Mentor graduates can attend the Assistant Surf Instructor course at Wingate during summer employment at Al HaGal.
• Herzl ConferenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHaGal Sheli has been recognized and featured at the Herzl Conference for Socio-Economic Entrepreneurship.
• Ministry of Education (GIVIN recognized framework)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHaGal Sheli's educational programs are recognized by Israel's Ministry of Education (framework number 1789 in GIVIN), and social service programs are also Ministry of Welfare recognized.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves16 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Waves of Impact: Australia/U.S.-based nonprofit delivering surf therapy programs for military veterans and first responders dealing with PTSD and trauma. Comparable therapeutic-surfing methodology and trauma population.
• Waves for Change: South Africa-based nonprofit using surfing as a vehicle for mental health and life-skills support for at-risk youth. Highly comparable mission and surf-therapy delivery model, operating in a different geography.
• The Jimmy Miller Foundation: U.S.-based nonprofit providing surf therapy and ocean-based mental health programs for at-risk youth, veterans, and trauma survivors. Closely aligned target population and therapeutic surf modality.
• Project Resurf: Israel-based nonprofit using surfing to support refugees, asylum seekers, and at-risk communities. Directly comparable Israeli geography and surf-as-therapy framework.

Broad incumbents

• NATAL - Israel Trauma and Resiliency Center: Israel's leading trauma treatment organization, providing psychological care to trauma survivors. Comparable trauma survivor target population, though delivered via conventional clinical therapy rather than surf-based programs.
• Save a Child's Heart: Israeli nonprofit providing life-saving cardiac care to children from developing countries. Comparable scale, international recognition, and Israeli nonprofit/NGO archetype, though different therapeutic modality.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters Israel: Long-established youth mentoring nonprofit serving at-risk Israeli youth. Comparable target population (at-risk youth ages 12-18) and institutional partnership model, though without surf/therapeutic specialization.

Others

• Kfar Izun: Israeli therapeutic rehabilitation village serving people in mental health crisis. Partners with HaGal Sheli to host surf programs at their Sdot Yam and Herzliya locations; complementary rather than competing service.
• Israel Trauma Coalition: Coalition coordinating trauma response across Israel and integrating HaGal Sheli's surf therapy into national trauma response. Operates as a partner/ecosystem player rather than a direct service provider.
• SurfAid International: International humanitarian organization using surfers' networks to improve health, education, and livelihoods in remote coastal communities. Thematically adjacent (ocean-based social impact) but different beneficiary population and delivery model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HaGalSheli
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC99OWxmHBIXY7-paeQfDGVQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/HagalSheli
• LinkedInil.linkedin.com/company/hagal-sheli
• Instagraminstagram.com/hagalsheli

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about HaGal Sheli