Dogs and their owners headed to the beach again this year to take part in the World Dog Surfing Championships in the United States. The competition, held for the 10th year, featured dogs of all breeds and sizes riding the waves in the picturesque coastal town of Pacifica, California, just south of San Francisco along the Pacific Ocean.
Hundreds of spectators gathered to cheer on the talented dogs, with barking heard from every direction as the four-legged participants — from small spaniels and terriers to large Labradors — showed off their best moves on surfboards.
Showing confidence on the surf board
(Photo: Heather Diehl/Getty Images/AFP)
The dogs were judged based on criteria such as how long they stayed on the board, the size of the wave and the confidence they displayed. Alongside the 10th anniversary celebrations for the unique competition, held about 22 kilometers south of San Francisco, the site also hosted a pet adoption event and fundraiser for local animal welfare charities.
The dogs, wearing colorful and bright life vests, stood ready on their surfboards with help from human participants, who identified the best wave. Whenever one of the canine competitors managed to perform moves on the board, he or she received applause and enthusiastic support from the local crowd. While some of the surfing dogs had years of experience after competing in past championships, others were taking their first steps in the contest.
Rosie, a Labrador retriever, catches waves on her surfboard
(Photo: Heather Diehl/Getty Images/AFP)
The crowd cheers on their favorite surfing dogs
(Photo: Haven Daley/AP)
This dog's owner is cheeringhim on
(Photo: Heather Diehl/Getty Images/AFP)
Small, medium and large dogs competed in separate heats, after which the highest-scoring dogs in each heat competed for the grand prize. The festive day also included tandem competitions, in which several dogs, as well as dogs and humans, shared a surfboard.
Sophia Sadlowski, a resident of Huntington Beach in Southern California, first placed her miniature pinscher, Rusty, on her surfboard when he was still a puppy. Since then, she said, he has not wanted to get off it.
Rusty catches a wave
(Photo: Godofredo A. Vásquez/AFP)
Coming back to shore
(Photo: Heather Diehl/Getty Images/AFP)
(Photo: Haven Daley/AP)
“I went to the beach, put him on the surfboard, and ever since then he has loved surfing on it,” Sadlowski said.
Rusty’s life jacket was green with an animal print and a shark fin sticking out from his back, while his goggles gave the impression that he was an experienced and highly confident competitor in the small-dog and tandem events.
The first time Rusty took part in the competition, he was just 4 months old. “Despite his young age, he came in third place. Since then we have kept surfing together and become addicted to the experience,” Sadlowski said.