The World Dog Surfing Championships is set to return to California next month, bringing with it one of the quirkiest and most entertaining sporting events for animal lovers. Scheduled for August 2, the annual contest will take place at Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica, just outside San Francisco. The event will see dogs of all breeds and sizes taking to the Pacific Ocean, balancing on surfboards and riding waves in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
Organisers of the event have extended invitations to both seasoned canine surfers and enthusiastic first-timers, encouraging them to compete for the coveted Golden Surfie Award. According to the contest’s official website, “The world’s top dog surfers as well as amateurs are invited to bring home the gold.”
In addition to the main surfing competition, the one-day event will also feature a range of fun activities, including a beach fashion show for dogs and an adoption drive to help rescue dogs find permanent homes. Over the years, the championships have drawn widespread attention, with photos and videos from previous editions showing dogs confidently riding waves—whether standing on all fours, sitting, or lying down—on their surfboards. Breeds such as pit bulls, pugs, and Labradors have all participated in past events.
The judging process is based on a detailed set of criteria. The duration of the ride, the size of the wave the dog catches, their technique and board steadiness, and their confidence while surfing will all be taken into consideration when evaluating the dog. Tricks done during the ride are worth extra points. Dogs have ten minutes to catch and ride as many waves as they can during each round.
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Considering the weight of the dogs and the number of competitors per surfboard, the competition has multiple categories. Some categories allow multiple dogs to surf together, and there is even a special category in which a dog and its human can surf on the same board. Safety remains a top priority. Dogs are not permitted to be tied to their surfboards with leashes during the competition. To protect their dogs in the water, participants must bring their own surfboards and life jackets.
Originally known as the Small Wave Surf Dog Competition, the World Dog Surfing Championships have expanded to become an international event since 2006. Similar celebrations of the relationship between dogs and their owners through water sports and community involvement are now also held in Florida, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Excitement is growing once more for this fun and jovial event along the California coast as the 2025 edition draws near.
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