Hundreds of dog lovers have flocked to Pacifica State Beach near San Francisco for this year’s World Dog Surfing Championships.
Dozens of dogs competed to become surf champions in different size categories: small, medium, and large-very large. Each dog was judged on their technique, confidence, and the length of the ride.
The World Dog Surfing Championships have been held in the San Francisco area since 2006 and has since become the premier dog surfing event in the world.
Hundreds of dog owners and spectators turned up at Linda Mar Beach, California, for the World Dog Surfing Championships. Credit: Paul Chinn/The Chronicle
The silver medalist in the large-very large category was Charlie. The seven-year-old Labrador started surfing when he was just two, according to his owner Jeffrey Neibour.
According to Neibour, Charlie has an unexplainable passion for surfing, even when not in tournaments.
“He loves it. If we go to the beach, he is going to take his surfboard and bark at the waves. It‘s not hurting anybody and others seem to love watching him as well.”
The dogs were judged on their technique, confidence, and the length of the ride. Credit: Paul Chinn/The Chronicle
The first place winner of the same category was a 10-year-old rescue dog named Faith. Her owner, James Wall remembers fondly how Faith became the surfing champion she is today.
“As a puppy, she was easily scared. So we started going to the beach,” Wall recalls. “She hopped onto a surfboard and I was like, why not?”
Watch some highlights from the event below:
Give Your Dog A Go At Surfing!
The event has drummed up a lot of interest in the spectators to give their own dogs a go.
Prerana Rani, a dog owner from Santa Clara was only a spectator at this year’s event. But she is already keen on giving her dog a go at the waves.
“It’s incredible to see all these dogs gather at this spot to just surf. It’s my first time seeing dogs surf and I really enjoyed it. Hopefully, my dog will enjoy surfing just as much as these dogs,” Rani said.
So why not give your dog a go this spring? After all, Australia has always been thought of as the ultimate surfing destination. So why not give your dog a wave this spring?
