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The annual World Dog Surfing Championships are all set to take place in California next month. A popular yet unique animal water sports event will see pet dogs riding the waves in the Pacific. The contest is scheduled to commence on August 2 at Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica, near San Francisco.
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The competition offers multiple categories based on the weight of the dogs where come categories even allow for multiple dogs to compete on a single board.
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Apart from surfing, the one-day event will also include other activities such as a “beach fashion contest” for the furry friends and an adoption drive for rescue dogs.
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“The world’s top dog surfers as well as amateurs are invited to bring home the gold,” the organisers said on the official website of the contest.
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The judges will assess the four-legged friends based on the length of the ride, the size of the wave and certainty or technique on the board and confidence.
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Tricks performed by the dogs on the surfboard will obviously be adding bonus points to their scores
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The 2023 champion, American pit bull terrier, Faith, a 10-year-old canine, caught a good wave and glided marvelously on their surfboard during the previous edition of the championship.
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Only in events featuring both humans and dogs on the same board, either the owner or a designated handler can launch the dog.
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A crucial safety rule is that dogs cannot be leashed or tied to the surfboard during the competition, allowing dogs a free fall in case they lose their balance.
