Top dogs were riding waves on Saturday, August 1, at the annual World Dog Surfing Championships in Pacifica, California, as hundreds of spectators cheered and barked from the Northern California beach.
Sophia Sadlowski, 46, of Huntington Beach, California, first put her Miniature Pinscher, Rusty, on her surfboard to capture fun photos when he was just a puppy.
“And then… he didn’t want to get off,” said Sadlowski.
“I walk over to the beach, and I put him on a wave, and he surfed it.”
From small spaniels to large labs, the canines were judged on factors including how long they could stay on their board, the size of the wave and their confidence.
The dogs, sporting their colorful life vests, stood ready on their surfboards and were assisted by human participants, who spotted the best wave to carry the board to the beach, while spectators erupted in applause and cheered with each successful ride.
Small-, medium- and large-sized dogs competed in heats and then the highest scoring dogs in each heat faced off for the top prize.
The day also included tandem contests, where multiple dogs, as well as dogs and humans, shared the surfboard.
Rusty’s life jacket was green with animal print and a shark fin sticking up out of his back and his goggles gave the impression he was a fierce competitor for the small-sized and tandem dog competitions.
Sadlowski shared her journey with the pup over the years.
“He was four months old, and he took third place.
So we’ve been surfing since,” Sadlowski said.
“We got hooked.”
Sadlowski said Rusty was in his first surf competition at four months old, and she and her pup are now both cancer-free.
In its 10th year, the contest in Pacifica, about 14 miles south of San Francisco, includes a pet adoption event and fundraising for local animal charities.
Wetsuit-clad Labradors paddle out past the break, and French Bulldogs balance on foam boards in the most joyful sporting arena of the day.
The top dogs from around the world competed for the coveted Golden Surfie Award, with the whole event airing on ESPN8: The Ocho on August 6.
In the viral moment dominating social media, footage from the championship showed competing pooches riding waves with their handlers guiding them through the Pacific waters. Spectators on the sand erupted in applause and cheered with each successful ride, their enthusiasm visible from shore. The canines were judged on wave size, board time and confidence as they navigated the California coast’s natural surf conditions.
The World Dog Surfing Championship benefits Rocket Dog Rescue and the Peninsula Humane Society, with dogs looking for homes available for adoption at the event.
The event airs on ESPN8: The Ocho on August 6.