5th Annual Dog Surfing Competition (Slideshow)

From: http://theweek.com/

All aboard

Five competitors pile on a surfboard during Sunday's Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon in Del Mar, Calif. The event welcomed 4,000 spectators, 80 pooches, and raised more than $100,000 for orphaned animals. Canine surf competitions have recently grown in popularity, and a number are held in Southern California each year. Click through for a look at more pups hanging ten.

PHOTO: REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

The perfect pitch

Since dogs like this California competitor don't have the ability to paddle into the oncoming wave like human surfers can, dog surfers need to be "pitched." That's when the dog's human helper pushes the board — with the dog sitting or standing on top — so it's moving at the same speed as the wave. The human then lets go and the dog is set free to ride its wave.

PHOTO: REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

Wipeout

A pug is thrown off its board on Sunday. Depending on the timing of the pitch or the size of the wave, dogs may wipe out just like human surfers — which is why all dogs wear life jackets and are assisted by human lifeguards.

PHOTO: REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

The old pro

Buddy, a 14-year-old Jack Russell Terrier, took home the honor of "top dog" Sunday, his fifth win in the competition's six years. Buddy is also the first member of the Surf Dog Hall of Fame. While Buddy is likely to retire after this competition, his owner said there was no doubt those last waves were "probably the best of Buddy's life."

PHOTO: Facebook/Helen Woodward Animal Center

Cannonball

A surfing bulldog tumbles off its board during Sunday's competition. The 80 dogs competing were divided among four weight classes.

PHOTO: REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

One with the wave

One of Sunday's competitors sits behind a spray of water during his ride. A dog's low center of gravity and relatively low weight often give him stability in rough waves. 

PHOTO: REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

Helping hand

A labrador participates in a different Southern California surf competition last year. Humans are an important part of dog surfing. Getting the board out past the break point can be the most difficult part, because handlers have to keep the dog on the board through an onslaught of crashing waves.

PHOTO: CC BY: Port of San Diego

Big air

A small dog competing in the 2008 Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon wipes out while riding a wave. While humans attach themselves to their boards with a leash to the ankle, dogs are attached by their life vests. Surfboard companies now make softboards for dogs, which are preferable to fiberglass or wood because they prevent injury during canine wipeouts. 

PHOTO: Mike Blake/CORBIS

Shake it, baby

A dog shakes off some sea water during the 2008 Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon. Not all dogs are natural swimmers, and some have to practice holding their breath. While beginners can't exactly tell their owners they don't want to surf, canines do have other ways of expressing their disinterest in the sport.

PHOTO: Mike Blake/CORBIS

The best reward

Australian Kelpie Abbie G gives her owner a little lick during a calm moment on the water. Abbie G is a longtime surfer who this year became the first Guinness World Record holder for the longest surf ride by a dog. The record-setting distance of 65 yards was measured using a GPS system duct-taped to the top of her wetsuit.

PHOTO: REUTERS/Mike Blake

Surfing Snowboarding Skateboarding Dog

youtube.com — Tillman used to be "just" a skateboarding bulldog, but like Michael Jordan, Bo Jackson, Travis Pastrana and new Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, he's expanded his athletic prowess to new sports. While other bulldogs are killing time on the pavement, tongues hanging out in exhaustion, Tillman's hitting the skate parks, beaches and slopes. 2 days ago

Cool Off with Most Beautiful Waves Ever

by Jaymi Heimbuch

from http://www.treehugger.com/

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In case you haven't noticed, there's quite a heat wave happening in several parts of the world, including along the East Coast of the US where temperatures hit record highs yesterday. If you're looking for a way to beat the heat, even if just mentally, we have a perfect solution.

Clark Little is a photographer with a gift for capturing the ocean at its most extraordinary. He literally dives into his work, with a special camera to capture waves with amazing color, detail, and movement. Check out some of the most breath-taking photos of waves you'll ever see, and cool down in the process.

Surfing Dog Competition At Surf City

From: http://www.petalot.com/

Dog and disabled boy ride waves in tandem

From :

guardianx

http://video.mpora.com/
More Surfing >>

Ricochet the dog helps quadriplegic Patrick Ivison ride some waves to raise money for his physical therapy.

Dog days of summer: Surfing pets take to the water for charity

By Daily Mail Reporter

During one of the last dog days of summer nearly 4,000 spectators turned out yesterday to watch San Diego's pets hit the beach for 'the world's largest dog surfing event'.

The dogs were taking part in the 4th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-Thon in order to raise money for a local animal shelter. The surfers rode waves at North Beach, also known as Dog Beach, in California.

The event, hosted by and benefiting the Helen Woodward Animal Centre in Rancho Santa Fe, has so far raised more than £17,500.

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Surfing U.S.A.: Kai the eight-year old Jack Russell terrier rides a wave

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Wipe out: A six-year old Pomeranian named Bobby Gorgeous jumps off the surfboard

'It just doesn't get any greater than San Diego showing its love for dogs and its love for surfing,' said animal centre President Michael Arms.

'What could be more fun than playing with your dog in the water?'

Mr Arms estimated that the crowd at the 'world's largest dog surfing event' was nearly 4,000 - double the number from last year.

The action was centred on the two to three foot waves that rolled in carrying pint-sized pooches, hefty hounds and everything in between.

Dozer, a 75-pound, 3-year-old bulldog, took first place in the second heat of the extra-large category. He has been surfing for only a year.

His owner, Gigi Bagaporo of Mira Mesa, said she never thought he would take to the sport, but after she was talked into giving it a try last summer, she was amazed to see her dog 'jump on and refuse to get off the board.'

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The winner was Buddy who also rode with his owner in the 4th Annual comeptition

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Bobby Gorgeous waits to compete in his 20lbs and under heat at the 4th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon"

Surfer, judge and animal centre board Chairman Bryce Rhodes said that while all the dogs have a great time, about 20 per cent fall into the upper echelon of athletes that the dog surfing community calls 'pros'.

Mr Rhodes, who is also the grandson of the late Helen Woodward, said the centre's founder would have been delighted to see the Surf-A-Thon.

'Our long-term goal is to put ourselves out of business - to see an end to the euthanisation of animals,' he said.

Launched in 2006, the contest started out as a fun way that pet owners could ride the surf with their pets and raise a little money.

Since then, it has mushroomed into a major event that draws national television coverage. The dogs are judged on several criteria - the length of the ride, the size of the wave ridden and their on-board manoeuvers.

Dogs receive extra points if they surf without their owner, and if they stand on the board rather than lie down.