When Waves Connect People: A Touching Exhibition in Memory of Ido Aviv

The inclusive surfing group 'Ogen Bamayim' concludes a year of activity with a photography exhibition opening on August 18 at Beit Heine in Kiryat Haim. The group brings together people coping with mental health challenges and surfers from the community. The exhibition is dedicated to the memory of Ido Aviv, a surfing instructor who fell in the Swords of Iron war. Photographer Daniel Shalmona documented the participants and discovered an old photo of Ido.

The inclusive surfing group 'Ogen Bamayim', operating within the 'Amitim' program of the Society for Community Centers in partnership with the Surf Cycle surfing club in Kiryat Yam, concludes a year of activity with a photography exhibition opening on August 18 at Beit Heine in Kiryat Haim. The group brings together people coping with mental health challenges and surfers from the wider community on the waterfront, creating a space where waves blur boundaries, build self-confidence, and enable new human connections. The exhibition is dedicated for the second year to the memory of Ido Aviv, a surfing instructor at the Surf Cycle club who fell in the Swords of Iron war. Ido believed in the power of surfing to connect people and in the sea's ability to serve as a healing space. Behind the camera lens is Daniel Shalmona, the community integration leader of the 'Amitim' program at the Beit Heine community center, who documented the participants' small and big moments. In a chilling coincidence, Daniel discovered in her personal archive an old photo of Ido surfing in the sea, years before she knew his story. The exhibition will be opened by Ami Aviv, Ido's mother, who will share his personal story. Alongside her, two group participants will share the personal journey they underwent through surfing.