Although some dogs prefer to catch frisbees or tennis balls, other pups, like the competitors at the 2018 World Dog Surfing Championships, love nothing more than catching a wave!
For the last three years, the event has brought together dog surfers — big and small — and their humans from all over the world to compete for surfing glory and raise money for charity. A portion of the proceeds from the surfing championships go to support dog, surfing and environmental nonprofits.
This year’s competition was held at Linda Mar Beach in Northern California and featured 45 canine competitors. The human judges rated the surfers on their ability to ride and move in the water, as well as style and overall calmness on the board.
As anyone who’s ever attempted to surf will tell you, whether you have two legs or four, surfing is not an easy sport to master.
Take a look at this video of some of the competitors in action followed by some of the cutest dog pictures you’ll see all year.
WATCH: Dogs of all sizes participated in the 3rd annual World Dog Surfing Championship on the beach in Pacifica, California on Saturday. . The event raises money for dog, surfing, and environmental non-profits. . Credit: @NBCBayArea . . . #worlddogsurfingchampionships #dogsurfing #surfer #surfing #surfingdog #surfingdogs #surfingdogsofinstagram #hangten #dogsofinstagram #pacifica #<imgsrc=”” alt=”🐶” class=”wp-smiley” style=”height: 1em; max-height: 1em;”>
Dogs also teamed up to ride in tandem. This GoPro selfie shows the overall little dog winner, Gidget (@surf_gidget_the_pug), riding together with Prince Dudeman (@thoranddudeman).
#amazing Tandem Team!! #princedudeman @surf_gidget_the_pug #surf #surfing #surfdog #pug #puglife #super #team #teamo #dog #dogs #dogstagram #dogsofinstagram #dogoftheday #wave #puglove #bichonfrise #awesome #love #smile #happy #fitness #fit #fitfam #beach #sunday #sundayfunday #hot #beautiful @gopro
Abbie Girl (@Abbiesurfs) was once a rescue dog who had been abandoned on the side of a freeway. Now, she’s a world-class surfer!
Champion surf dog @abbiesurfs . . Source @abbiesurfs ・・・ I got this. #abbiesurfs @intsoftboards #surfingdog #surfing #surfdog #dog #dogs #dogsurfing
How cool is champion surfer Derby’s (@derbycalifornia) blue mohawk? He’s pictured here riding tandem with his friend Teddy (@surfdogteddy).
The World Dog Surfing Championships and a photo of @surfdogteddy and @derbycalifornia will be included in the Happenings/ Calendar section of @dogster magazine in August . . #dogsurfingcompetition #dogs #dog #surfing #dogsurfingchampionships #surfer #surfingdog #surfdog #dogsurfing @visitpacifica_ca @goughnutsinc #surfcontest
This photo proves that any kind of dog can learn to surf, even a 6-year-old French bulldog like @cheriethesurfdog.
@cheriethesurfdog plowing through surf . . Source @jet.renu ・・・ #Tbt #petrenu # PC: @darensfotos #frenchbulldog #girlswhoshred #surfergirl #surfdog #socal #bigwaves #catchsurf #seventhwavenz #dogsurfing #surfdog #surfingdog #surfing #dogsurfing #dog #dogs #surfdogphotography #dogsurfingcompetition
Skyler (@skylerthesurfingdog) and his human catch a wave together in this photo.
Tandem dog surfing champs @skylerthesurfingdog and @henutts (with umbrella) carve a wave at leisure . . Source @skylerthesurfingdog ・・・ We love Surfing Rain or Shine ! #skylerthesurfingdog <imgsrc=”” alt=”🤙🏼” class=”wp-smiley” style=”height: 1em; max-height: 1em;”> #dogs #surfing #waves #surfers #surfdog @visitpacifica_ca #goughnuts
Pino (@surfingdog.pino) and his owner came all the way from Japan to compete!
Surfdog Pino from Japan . . . . Source @surfingdog.pino ・・・ #splashdogs #pino #irishsetter #surfdog #surfingdog #surfingdogs #supdogs #dog #dogsurfing #goprojp #湘南ハッピー#surfing #japan #japanesedog ・・・ 10月10日のハッピータンデムサーフィン♪ 波のサイズは、ヒザからコシでした。 @goprojp #hero5black #goprodog #サーフィン犬 #ドッグサーファー #サーフドッグ #サーファー犬 #ドッグサーフィン #タンデムサーフィン #タンデムライド
Cowabunga, dude! Cherie and Abbie Girl look like they’re having a blast as they catch a wave at the same time.
World Dog Surfing Champions @cheriethesurfdog and @abbiesurfs on the waves <imgsrc=”” alt=”🏄♀️” class=”wp-smiley” style=”height: 1em; max-height: 1em;”> Surf gods were kind today! #comingthrough #inside @dukesoceanfest @konosrestaurant #dogsurfing #dog #dogs #dogsurfingcompetition #surfing #surf #surfdog #surfingdog #surfingdogs #surfingdogsofinstagram #mahalo #mahowlo #frenchbulldog #frenchie #rescuedog
Congratulations to all of the brave competitors and their owners!