Toby, a rescue dog, was first-place Heat One winner in the second annual Loews Coronado Bay Resort Surf Dog Competition held on Aug. 18, 2007, in San Diego. By taking to the surfboard without his owner, Toby won a two-night stay at Loews Coronado Bay Resort & Spa, including a gourmet doggie room service meal and an oversized gift basket filled with dog treats.
A total of 47 dogs registered for the competition, and lifeguards estimated that more than one thousand spectators attended.
In Heat Two, in which dogs and humans surfed together on the same board, Jack Russell Terrier Zoe, owner Scott Chandler and his 7-year-old daughter Tyler took home the first place award. The family also won a complete, dog-friendly, two-night stay at the resort.
Imperial Beach Mayor Jim Janney, Loews Coronado General Manager Kathleen Cochran, and Denise Hoekzema, a volunteer with PAWS of Coronado, judged the competition. Each dog and team had three waves to impress the judges and was scored on confidence level, length of ride and overall ability to “grip it and rip it.”
Proceeds benefit Loews Coronado Bay Resort’s Good Neighbor Council, a community outreach program that funds nonprofit organizations in the community, including Modest Needs and PAWS of Coronado.
Photos and more information on the winners are available at LoewsSurfDog.blogspot.com
See DogChannel exclusive footage of the competition here.
In addition to the Loews Surf Dog Competition, canines, owners and spectators enjoyed a furry fashion show with doggie couture, puppy portraits, Mutt Massages, goody bags and a variety of burgers, dogs and snacks prepared by the talented chefs of Loews.
Loews Hotels was the first to offer surfing lessons for dogs as part of a hotel package. Since Su’ruff Camp debuted in January 2006, more than 40 dogs have taken advantage of the camp.