Windsurfers from across Europe took part in the European RS:X Windsurfing Championship held in Tel Aviv.

The event, the first international windsurfing competition since the Beijing Olympics, is one of the most prestigious sporting events of year.

It was organized by the International Olympic Federation and the Israel Olympic Committee, and was held as part of Tel Aviv’s centennial celebrations.

This year’s competition was won by 22-year-old Israeli Shahar Zubari, who won a bronze medal for windsurfing at Beijing last summer.

story from israel21c.org

Vestal is proud to announce the newest addition to its world-class surf team; 16 year old Andrew Doheny from Newport Beach, CA.

“Vestal is thrilled to welcome Andrew to the family. As a neighbor living in Vestal’s backyard, Andrew makes for a perfect and obvious addition to our Surf Team. We are very excited to play a part in Andrew’s promising surf career” explains Vestal Surf Team Manager John Oda.

Andrew Dohney is currently in contention to win the Orange County Register’s “OC Surfer of the Year.” He also holds back to back NSSA Open Junior National Championship titles for 2007 & 2008. Andrews Sponsors include Vestal, Volcom, Vans, Electric, HSS, Sexwax & J.S. Surfboards.

The Vestal surf team is Jordy Smith, CJ Hobgood, Timmy Curran, Clay Marzo, John John, Nathan, & Ivan Florence, Dion Agius, Mitch Coleborn and Andrew Doheny. For more information visit VestalWatch.com

story from global surf news

After being diagnosed with autism, Alex was enrolled in the school district’s autism program, but his parents were looking for other ways to break him out of his shell, his mother said.

Then she learned of Surfers Healing, a nonprofit foundation that runs free day camps for children with autism that allows them to ride a surfboard with a professional.

Israel “Izzy” and Danielle Paskowitz have run a for-profit surfing camp for 37 years. They started the Surfers Healing foundation and camp in 1999, after seeing the effect surfing had on their autistic son, Isaiah.

About 60 autistic children from the Las Vegas Valley are scheduled to attend the camp in San Diego on Aug. 5.

Many autistic children suffer from sensory overload. Simple sensations could overwhelm them, but for some reason, being on the water helped Isaiah to focus, Izzy Paskowitz said.

read more at lasvegassun.com