Doc Paskowitz

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Dorian "Doc" Paskowitz is a Jewish American surfer.[1][2]. Paskowitz, who is a a medical doctor by training, decided in the 1950s to become a professional surfer. [1] Paskowitz and his family now run a set of surfing clinics. In 1972 they founded what is now the oldest surfing camp in the United States; today it is directed primarily by Dorian's son Israel "Izzy" Paskowitz.[1][3][4][5][6]. Paskowitz has been described as a legendary surfer and his family of nine children and multiple grandchildren has been referred to as the "first family of surfing".[7][8][9]

Contents

[edit] Early life

Paskowitz was born in Galveston, Texas[10]. Paskowitz early in life had two failed marriages and found that he did not feel happy as a doctor.[1][10] Paskowitz then went to Israel and volunteered for the Israeli army in 1956 during the Suez crisis but was turned down by the army.[10] He then returned to the United States and focused on surfing full time.

[edit] Surfboards to Gaza

In August 2007, Paskowitz ran a project to deliver surfboards to Gaza after reading that surfers there did not have many boards.[11] Paskowitz had to persuade the Israeli government to let him deliver the boards since post June of 2007, when Hamas took over Gaza, Israel has only let in essential supplies.[11] Paskowitz became involved in the project after reading an article in the Los Angeles Times which highlighted the lack of surfboards in Gaza. [11] Paskowitz worked with OneVoice, a pro Israeli-Palestinian peace organization and Surfers for Peace founded by Paskowitz and Syrian-American surfer Kelly Slater.[11]

[edit] Health guru

Paskowitz has been described as a health guru and has a strong interest in health issues. He has advocated natural diets low in fat accompanied by exercise.[1][12] Paskowitz wrote a book on his philosophy about health and other issues titled "Surfing and Health".[1]

[edit] Surfwise

A documentary film about Paskowitz's life, Surfwise, premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2007 and in select theaters in May 2008.[13]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Kate Meyers. "Health Nut", AARP, April 2007. Retrieved on 2008-04-06. 
  2. ^ "Surfing For Peace In The Middle East", CBS News, 2007-08-26. Retrieved on 2008-04-06. 
  3. ^ Izzy Paskowitz. Paskowitz Surf Camp. Paskowitz Surf Camp. Retrieved on 2008-04-09.
  4. ^ Lee Cataluna. "Paskowitz clan's surfers embark on a new mission", Honolulu Advertiser, 2003-11-30. Retrieved on 2008-04-09. 
  5. ^ Louise Rafkin. "It's Never Too Late to Be a Surfer Chick", New York Times, 1998-11-24. Retrieved on 2008-04-28. 
  6. ^ Doc Paskowitz. Paskowitz Surf Camp. Retrieved on 2008-04-28.
  7. ^ OUT THERE: San Onofre State Beach, Calif.; The First Family Of Surfing - New York Times
  8. ^ EXPN.com: - "Doc" Paskowitz Supports Surfing In Gaza - Expn
  9. ^ Surfwise (2008) - Movie Info - Yahoo! Movies
  10. ^ a b c voiceofsandiego.org: News... Aloha, Doc: Questions for Dorian 'Doc' Paskowitz
  11. ^ a b c d Prescribing Surfboards for Peace - New York Times
  12. ^ Atlanta Jewish Film Festival | Films | Film Details
  13. ^ SURFWISE the Film