7th Annual Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon

Helen Woodward Animal Center’s 7th Annual Surf Dog Surf-A-thon, held at Dog Beach in Del Mar and sponsored by Iams, takes place on Sunday, September 9, from 8am-2pm. The canine surf contest is the largest of its kind in the country and will feature Iams’ Four-Legged V.P. of Canine Communications, Pawl Griffin, Internet sensations Riccochet, Nani, Dozer, and Buddy, along with more than 80 dogs surfing in four different weight class competitions. Winners are selected based upon their ability to ride the waves, have fun, and stay on their boards. Each “hang twenty” surf heat is judged by top riders from Volcom, along with other surf pros and aficionados including celebrity judges Jenni Pulos, co-star of the popular Bravo reality show, Flipping Out; Michael Munoz from CBS’ Amazing Race; retired pro surfer and actor Kalani Robb from Blue Crush and Forgetting Sarah Marshall; and TransWorld Surf editor-in-chief Chris Cote. The top winners from each category are invited back to surf in a final “Best in Surf” at 1pm.

 

Other dog-friendly activities include the Beach Bum Bikini Babe Canine Costume Contest — with celebrity hosts Jagger and Kristi from Magic 92.5; Doo the Dah, where people and pets in costume surf together to raise funds; and more than 40 interactive vendor booths. All proceeds from the annual competition and activities go towards the animals and programs at Helen Woodward Animal Center.

 

There are also some exciting firsts for the popular canine surf competition. This year, Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon enthusiasts can watch the competition live from anywhere in the world with a Helen Woodward Animal Center-hosted “Google Plus Hangout.” Viewers will get a bird’s eye view of all of the surfing heats and festivities. Web viewers can also catch a glimpse of another Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon “first” as competing canines set out to attain two world records — Biggest Dog Paw-ty/Party Wave (most dogs on one wave, on separate boards) and Longest Canine “Hang Twenty” Surf Ride.  If you can’t be there in person, watch the broadcast live at 8:30am PT/11:30am ET on the Helen Woodward Animal Center Google+ Page, or on the homepage of www.animalcenter.org.

 

Helen Woodward Animal Center invites Southern California dogs to climb “on board.”  (858/756-4117, ext. 350, www.surfdog.kintera.org)

 

Photography by Michael Schrager