Surfing Dogs: A Cure to the Monotony of Surf Spectatorship

Could surfing dogs be the answer to viewer boredom in an era of wave pool competitions, mechanically executed wraps, air-reverses, and seemingly endless barrels? On the heels of the WSL Fresh Water Pro, I find myself wondering how much longer we’ll be able to watch Gabriel Medina launch himself into various iterations of an air-reverse without yawning. The WSL’s “Finals Day Top 5 Moments” was more reminiscent of the NBA Dunk Contest than of a surf competition—rodeo flips and ally-oops galore. In an age of waning conditional variables, and increasingly technical surfers, is surf spectatorship still exciting? Some might argue that Tour competitions have never been the intended site to showcase innovative surfing, but there has to be some middle-ground between JOBVLOGS and the ever-conceding WSL. 

Luckily, man’s best friend has pulled through, yet again. In addition to admirable qualities like loyalty, unconditional love, protection, and companionship, certain dog breeds possess physical and behavioral attributes that render them perfect pups for surfing! Sure, there’s an obvious novelty to watching our four-legged friends race down the line in miniature life-jackets, but there are also serious benefits that they contribute to the competitive arena of surfing. While surfing pups aren’t necessarily executing laybacks or getting shacked (…yet), they demonstrate a level of accessibility and purpose seldom associated with the sport. 

Apart from providing competitive entertainment, dogs offer crucial assistance in surfing therapy to a host of marginalized groups including veterans with ptsd and people with varying disabilities. Dogs like Ricochet (former winner of the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge Surfing Dogs Competition), mix their passion for surfing with purpose. As a certified SURFice dog and member of the Puppy Prodigies service dog program, Ricochet’s career as a surf therapy dog exemplifies the positive impact dog surfing can have on the surf community, beyond entertainment. 

Unlike the Tour, viewers of dog surfing events, like the annual Surf City Dog competition at Huntington Beach, constitute a diverse demographic of dog-lovers, surfers, and an obvious combination of the foregoing. Watching a clip of Sugar (the 2012 Surf City Dog champ), tail tucked, paws planted, there’s an unrivaled earnestness to her efforts in the water.Upon successfully riding one of the largest waves surfed by a dog, Sugar’s feat was received with genuine respect and admiration by onlookers. That is to say, the receptive experience was authentic, and not followed by a wave of obligatory, sponsor-laden post-heat interviews.

I get it, dogs can’t speak, and if they could perhaps they’d also be propped up in front of a logo-littered backdrop, handed a microphone, and murmur half-baked aphorisms. But for now, dogs might be our most promising candidates when it comes to spearheading the resurgence of excitement and entertainment amid a moment of formulaic surfing and spectatorship.

Here is a list of some of out favorite surfing dog competitions:

• Imperial Beach Surf Dog, Imperial Beach
• World Dog Surfing Championships, Linda Mar, Northern California
• Helen Woodward Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon, Del Mar, CA
• Incredible Dog Challenge Surf Dog Event, Huntington, CA

Don’t believe me? Head to one of many dog surfing competitions and put my musings to the test. See if watching a golden retriever charge peaky beach break isn’t as exhilarating as slouching in front of your Macbook with a bag of chips, watching Toledo land his umpteenth air. 

You can shake your head, but I’d rather see a wagging tail.