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The Journal
03-08-2025
- Sport
- The Journal
Dogs take to the waves in California for their world surfing championships
A SURFING COMPETITION with a difference drew thousands of spectators to a beach near San Francisco, as dogs of all sizes took to the waves. Labs, terriers and spaniels were among dozens of dogs riding the surf at Pacifica State Beach, about 22.5km south of the city, in the annual World Dog Surfing Championships. They competed against similar-sized dogs for a chance to appear in the finals, while additional heats featured multiple dogs – wearing life vests and often goggles – surfing tandem or riding with people. Once out on the waves, their owners helped them hop on their colourful surf boards as the crowd cheered from the beach. Judges assessed how long the dogs remained on their boards, how long they held their balance, and whether they performed any tricks, like turning around while riding. Carson Surf Dog, Rosie, and Charlie Surfs Up in action during World Dog Surfing Championships. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Iza, a five-year-old French bulldog, won the single surfer heat for medium-size dogs for the first time, her owner David Fasoli said. He said he found 'pure joy' during the pandemic when he brought home a surfboard from his job at Costco and taught Iza to balance in the swimming pool. The two soon started swimming in the sea and learning to ride waves as passers-by watched in awe. Now, their competitions are all about defying expectations. 'I have a disability – I only have one hand – so a non-sporting human combined with a non-sporting dog breed, we are kind of phenomenal, defying the odds of what people think we're capable of doing,' Mr Fasoli said after the competition. Advertisement A lifeguard dog looks on before World Dog Surfing Championships. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Ten-year-old yellow lab Charlie likes surfing so much he will grab his surfboard and run towards the water – his owners sometimes have to hide it to ensure some peace. Charlie, who has his own Instagram page, entered the extra-large single surfer heat. He also rode tandem with two other dogs in what their humans called 'The Dream Team'. Owner Maria Nieboer said: 'He loves the crowd.' Charlie and Ms Nieboer's husband Jeff prepare for waves together. When Mr Nieboer spots a good one, he turns the board around and tells Charlie to 'get ready'. He pushes the board forward, and Charlie scrunches down and rides the wave as long as he can. Charlie can even steer the board by leaning, and surfs towards an awaiting Ms Nieboer on the shore. He does not have to be rewarded with treats for any of it, Mr Nieboer said, adding: 'Charlie does what Charlie wants to do once we're in the water.' Charlie looks towards the camera while riding a wave to the shore during the World Dog Surfing Championships. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Charlie's 'Dream Team' compatriot, fellow yellow lab Rosie, was in four heats. The four-year-old's owner, Steve Drottar, said she is 'stoked' after they go surfing, which they do four to five times a week back home in Santa Cruz. 'It's like, hey, we actually did something today, right? We did something together as a team,' Drottar said. 'The fact that you can do something as a team with your dog creates a different bond than you have when you just take your dog for a walk.' He can tell Rosie feels a sense of accomplishment afterwards because she is extra happy, wags her tail extra hard and snuggles even more than usual, he said. 'It's like we go home on the couch and it feels like she's saying 'Thank you'.'
Toronto Sun
02-08-2025
- General
- Toronto Sun
Who's the top dog? Wave-riding canines compete in the World Dog Surfing Championships
Published Aug 02, 2025 • 2 minute read Charlie Surfs Up barks as he is pushed through the breakers by Jeff Nieboer in the second heat of very large dogs during the World Dog Surfing Championships, on Aug. 3, 2024, in Pacifica, Calif. Photo by Eakin Howard, File / AP Photo PACIFICA, Calif. — Charlie the yellow lab likes surfing so much he'll grab his surfboard and run toward the water, so much so that his humans sometimes have to hide his board if they want to chitchat with friends on the beach. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account On Saturday, Charlie is set to join about 15 to 20 other canine wave riders to vie for top dog in the World Dog Surfing Championships outside San Francisco. The annual contest draws thousands of spectators to Pacifica State Beach. Participating pooches compete against similarly sized peers for a chance to appear in the finals. Additional heats feature multiple dogs surfing tandem on one board and dogs riding tandem with humans. Judges scrutinize how long dogs remain on boards, how long they can hold their balance and whether they perform any tricks like turn around while riding waves. Charlie, aged 10, is due to enter the extra-large single surfer heat. He'll also ride tandem with two other dogs, on what their owners call 'The Dream Team.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'He loves the crowd,' said his owner, Maria Nieboer. In the ocean, Charlie and Maria's husband, Jeff Nieboer, prepare for waves together. When Jeff sees a good wave, he turns the board around and tells Charlie to 'get ready.' At that signal, Jeff pushes the board forward and Charlie scrunches down and rides the wave as long as he can. He can even steer it, at times leaning on the board to ride toward Maria waiting on shore. He doesn't have to be fed treats for any of this. 'Charlie does what Charlie wants to do once we're in the water,' Jeff said. Contest winners get medals and bragging rights. Charlies 'Dream Team' compatriot, Rosie, will be in four heats. The 4.5-year-old yellow lab's owner, Steve Drottar, said Rosie's 'stoked' after they go surfing, which they do four to five times a week at home in Santa Cruz. 'It's like, hey, we actually did something today, right? We did something together as a team,' Drottar said. 'And the fact that you can do something as a team with your dog creates a different bond than you have when you just take your dog for a walk.' He can tell Rosie feels a sense of accomplishment after surfing because she's extra happy and wags her tail extra hard. She snuggles up to Drottar even more than normal. 'It's like we go home on the couch and it feels like she's saying, 'Thank you,'' Drottar said. Toronto Blue Jays Columnists Columnists Homes Canada
