Coaching & Paralympics

After retiring from competitive kayaking, Barak poured his passion into coaching the next generation. He coached youth at Hapoel Tel Aviv on the Yarkon River and, from 2016 to 2019, served as coach of Israel's Paralympic kayaking team at Merkaz Daniel on the Yarkon. His athletes described the bond as transcending the coach-athlete relationship: "Barak was a friend, caring, loving, a mentor for life.

A phenomenal person... With his spirit he managed to keep us motivated to come train every day." Barak completed the prestigious "Podium" program at the Wingate Institute — Israel's top coaching certification — with excellence, receiving

his certificate just one day before the October 7th attack. His impact was recognized posthumously when the Paralympic Committee of Israel named its annual "Breakthrough of the Year" award after him, ensuring his coaching legacy endures through the young athletes he inspired.