Anat Lelior Makes History as First Israeli Surfer to Qualify for the Championship Tour

Anat Lelior has officially become the first-ever surfer from Israel to qualify for the World Surf League’s elite competitive circuit, the Championship Tour.

I first met Anat back in 2021, when she was gunning for a spot in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics – surfing’s inaugural appearance in the Games – at a qualification event in El Salvador. We spoke about the unlikely surf destination of Israel, her mandatory service in her country’s military, and her dreams of making it big one day in the surf world.

Now, for the 25-year-old, those dreams have come true.

With a 9th place finish at the Bioglan Newcastle SURFEST, Lelior secured her spot on the 2026 Championship Tour, becoming the first surfer from her homeland ever to be a member of the most prestigious, highest level of competitive surfing in the world.

"It's unreal, it's only my first year on the Challenger," Lelior said. "I haven't even surfed an ocean growing up, this is quite mental. I haven't really quite understood it. Waiting for the girls to lose was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I appreciate so many of the girls that competed today. I just want to say thanks. This is unreal, I didn't know dreams can actually come true. And I didn't know a girl from Israel would make it, which is crazy. I guess I'll see you in Bells."

Through tears, following the official announcement of her achievement, Lelior said:

“This is not real. This can’t be real.”

Before, during our chat all those years ago ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, Lelior talked about the unlikely surfing destination from which she hails:

“I know people aren’t aware of surfing in Israel, and the fact that I get to be the one to show people that we’re capable of more than they think, that’s just amazing. But more than that, I want to show kids, women, everyone from everywhere, that they can do anything they want. There’s no limits. I mean, look at me. I had no idea that this would happen, and now I’m going to the freaking Olympics.”

And now, she’s on the CT. Keep an eye out for her on April 1st at Bells Beach, Australia when the 2026 Championship Tour season officially kicks off.