FRIDAY FIVE
Dogs enhance our lives in so many ways. They help us relieve stress. They keep us safe. They give us reasons to get out of the house and walk. They are scientifically proven mood boosters. They give us good memes. But did you know that on top of all their other skills, they can be excellent surfers too?
Yes, dogs are surfers, and the World Dog-Surfing Championships—an iconic annual event—is taking place right in our backyard this weekend. On Saturday, pups from around the country will catch the waves in Pacifica. The competition is from 9:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon at Linda Mar and will surely be more entertaining than watching world champion Kelly Slater surf at Mavericks (we’re only half joking).
But seriously, these pups are the real deal. Here are some of the top dogs to look out for this weekend.
1. Jojo
Breed: Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Age: 9 years
Surfing experience: 5 years
Jojo has been catching waves for the last five years, usually while wearing a shark wetsuit. It’s been his form of therapy since he and his owner, Josephine, were attacked by two big dogs a few years ago. According to his website, Jojo’s survival outlook wasn’t great, but veterinarians recommended swimming to make his legs stronger. The water gave him a second chance. Since his family loves to surf, the sport has become a way for the family to bond together. You go, Jojo.
2. Derby
Breed: Goldendoodle
Age: 7 years
Surfing experience: 4 years
Fun fact: Derby took up surfing when a lot of people do—when he moved to California. It was a rite of passage for this pup and his owner, Kentucky Gallahue, but Derby soon outstripped his owner. Since they moved to the West Coast from Atlanta, surfing takes up a lot of Derby’s time, though he’s an all-around adventurer. In addition to surfing, he likes to paddleboard and occasionally ride in the sidecar of his owner’s motorcycle. And he may just be the one to beat—at last year’s World Dog-Surfing Championships, he took home the gold for tandem surfing and won the Large Dog division.
3. Faith
Breed: American Pit Bull Terrier
Age: 7.5 years
Surfing experience: 6 years
In 2012, a San Diego resident found Faith dumped in a parking lot with a belt tied around her neck. After her rescuer adopted Faith, she started surfing a year later, and she hasn’t looked back since. Talk about a strong doggo. Today, surfing is her favorite pastime. When the surfboard comes out, she squeals and wags her butt with excitement. According to Faith’s owner, James Wall, her favorite part of surfing is the attention she gets when she rides a wave to shore and everyone is watching. We’re sure she’s pawesome. She’s won first place in the Large Dog division multiple times at the Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon competition. We can’t wait to watch her thrive this weekend.
4. Charlie
Breed: Yellow Labrador
Age: 4 years
Surfing experience: 2 years
Charlie is a go-getter, especially when it comes to surfing. This energetic pup doesn’t need any help paddling out. He pulls his board down and out of the water on his own. He’s so happy while he’s surfing, according to his owner, that his tail still wags when he’s on the board. Since surfing is his happy place, he’s a veteran of these surf-dog competitions and will be a fun one to keep an eye on.
5. Rusty
Breed: Red Min Pin
Age: 3.5 years
Surfing experience: Not clear, but he seems to be rocking it
Rusty has all the credentials when it comes to surfing. A rescue from the Orange County Humane Society, he’s a multi-champion surf dog, and his past wins include placing first at the Petco Unleashed Surf Dog Competition at Huntington Beach in the Small Dog category. His red coat and beautiful green eyes could be enough to win the judges’ hearts at this year’s competition too.
