Surfing dogs take to the waves

Event raises money for Helen Woodward Animal Center

North County Times
Monday, September 10, 2007
Local, Page B-1

ANDREA MAAS MURRAY
For the North County Times

DEL MAR – Spectators gathered at North Beach in Del Mar on Sunday to watch a different breed of surfer take to the waves. Paddling through the waves to catch the perfect ride, the surfers were hanging 20 and wagging their tails to the cheers of onlookers.

The surf was up and the sun was shining for Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Second Annual Surf Dog Surf-a-Thon. Organizers said the event was twice as big as last year’s and was expected to meet their goal of raising $40,000 to help the center carry out its mission of people helping animals and animals helping people.

“No one had ever heard of such a thing before,” said animal center spokesman John Van Zante. “This is an ideal Southern California event.” About 50 surfing dogs were registered to participate in addition to more than 100 human surfers, together filling the beach known as Dog Beach.

Janet Piskor, Ruth James and Joan Spelman said they enjoyed watching the dogs surf and petting some of the onlookers from the shade of an umbrella.

“I didn’t expect it to be this crowded,” said Piskor.

“I never saw so many dogs in one place in my life,” said Spelman.

With dogs of various breeds prancing around excitedly, spectators stood in knee-deep water to watch the dogs hit the waves. Some wore one- or two-piece bathing suits, Hawaiian leis and brightly colored life jackets – and that was just the dogs.

Bandit the Biker Dog, a black Boston terrier owned by Mark Shaffer, wore goggles, a bandana and a blue doggie wetsuit. He was out for his second surfing expedition.

Some of the canine surfers jumped off their boards early and others rode their waves all the way into shore. With a boost from their owners, some dogs stood up for their rides and others lay on their tummies with their paws facing forward.

Dude, a basset hound wearing a blue Hawaiian print life jacket, rode backward on his board all the way to shore on one wave.

Pat Weber, owner of the San Diego Surfing Academy, is new to teaching dogs to surf but has been teaching people professionally for 12 years.

“You can lead a dog to water, but you can’t make him surf,” Weber said. “Some dogs are really naturals. The treat is when you see the smile on the dogs’ face having fun.”

Weber conducted two clinics in August to prepare for the Surf-a-Thon and offered free lessons for dogs on Sunday. The main difference between teaching humans and teaching dogs to surf, he said, is that dogs don’t tell you where it hurts when they fall off their surfboard.

Buddy the Surfing Dog, a 9-year-old Jack Russell terrier owned by Bruce Hooker, has been surfing for seven years. Not wanting the fun to end, he barked and jumped on the beach as if asking for more waves.

John Strickland came to the event with his two dogs, Spud and Toby. He said, “I didn’t even know the beach was there” until he read about the event.

The day’s activities included the Hang 20 Surf Dog Surfing Contest and the Beach Bum and Bikini Babe Costume Contest, several heats of dog and human surfing, a dog agility course and dozens of booths from event sponsors with information, displays and food and treats for dogs and their owners.