Posted: July 1, 2008, 5 a.m. EDT
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Spaniel TJ took first place in the small-dog competition. Photos courtesy Loews Coronado Bay Resort |
More than 60 dogs and their owners hit the surf this weekend for San Diego’s Loews Coronado Bay Resort Surf Dog Competition.
The popular contest, which drew an estimated 2,000 spectators, including dozens of dogs decked out in everything from Hawaiian leis to sunglasses, is in its third year. “It goes to show that dog surfing is part of the San Diego lifestyle,” said Anne Stephany, a spokesperson for the resort.
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Pogey, a Poodle mix, and her owner
Lauren Leslie compete as a team. |
Coronado Surf Academy owner Teevan McManus, who helped judge the competition and trained many of its competitors, told the San Diego Union-Tribune that dogs with a lower center of gravity do especially well in the sport. “Surfing is all about balance,” McManus said. “Dogs have four legs and therefore good balance.”
Judges rate dogs on style and length of time on the wave. Craig Haverstick entered the competition with his Chesapeake Bay Retriever Stanley, and took third place in the large-dog category.
“He gets very excited – he jumps right on the board,” Haverstick says.
Click here to see footage of dogs surfing from last year’s contest.