Latest news with #WorldDogSurfingChampionships
Epoch Times
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Epoch Times
Bay Area Dog Surfing Contest Raising Funds as Permitting Costs Soar
Organizers of the World Dog Surfing Championships held on the California coast will decide May 1 whether the popular canines can catch the waves this year after permitting costs skyrocketed. 'This is due to the over 42 percent increase since last year and over 100 percent plus cost increases the event has experienced over the last four years as far as permits, fees, and other event requirements that the local government has requested,' event organizers said on Organizers are collecting money on an online The event is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 2 at Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica, about 15 miles south of San Francisco. Last year's event was also in jeopardy of being canceled, but organizers were able to go on with the show. 'We hope with enough support from fans and friends from around the world, we can do it again this year, and maybe even next year,' the group said on its fundraising page. The four-legged surfers drew thousands of attendees last year, prompting Pacifica officials to ask organizers to pay higher permit fees to cover parking, cleaning, and safety costs, according to the city manager. Related Stories 9/14/2024 4/7/2023 'The World Dog Surfing Championship has grown into a very large event, ' Pacifica City Manager Kevin Woodhouse told The Epoch Times Wednesday in an email. Following last year's large crowds and traffic, city staff conducted a more in-depth review to ensure that this year's permit fees, which total nearly $7,500, accurately covered expenses, Woodhouse added. Kentucky Gallahue and his dog, Derby California, with their children's book 'The Adventures of Derby California' at the World Dog Surfing Championships in Pacifica, Calif., on Aug. 5, 2023. Jason Blair/The Epoch Times The event strains beach parking and regional traffic, requiring public works crews to maintain safety, cleanliness, and restroom facilities during peak times. The crowds also need a police presence for crowd control and public safety, according to the city manager. The scale of the event also requires the local police to develop an event action plan, which costs more money and resources, Woodhouse said. 'Historically, the total local cost to the city for this event has been understated,' he said. 'The updated permit fees are an adjustment to better align with the actual expenses incurred to support the event.' The World Dog Surfing Championships is based on the California coast, where the concept originated, according to the During the event, dog surfers participate in a number of activities, including the surf competition. The canines win prizes for first, second, and third place. The event raises money for local
CBS News
24-04-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Pacifica World Dog Surfing Championships may not happen this year, organizers say
The organizers of the World Dog Surfing Championships in Pacifica said the event is at risk of not happening this year. On Wednesday, organizers told KPIX that the cost to hold the event has increased each year for the last four years. "The costs to hold it in Pacifica had increased by 100% over a 2-3 year period, and this year those costs have increased by yet another 42%," a spokesperson said. In an Instagram post, organizers said they had previously covered the financial losses but that it was not something they could do again. They have started a fundraiser for the event and said they need at least $10,000 to be raised. The city of Pacifica said the increased costs were in response to a more in-depth look at how much the city spends to support the event. "Following last year's event, with its large crowds and traffic, City staff conducted a more in-depth review of the actual costs incurred by the City to ensure that this year's permit fees, which total $7,456.57, accurately reflect those expenses," said City Manager Kevin Woodhouse. Woodhouse said also said that "historically, the total local costs to the city for this event has been understated." Woodhouse listed several other factors for the cost increase. The event places a significant strain on beach parking and regional traffic, requiring Public Works crews to maintain site safety, cleanliness, and restroom facilities during periods of exceptionally high use. Large crowds necessitate a Police presence for crowd control and public safety. Due to the event's scale, the Police Department must develop an Event Action Plan (EAP), requiring additional administrative time and resources. In their Instagram post, organizers said they have until May 1 to raise the money. The event is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 2, 2025, at Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica, but organizers said it may be held elsewhere in the future. "In the future we probably will have to move it from Pacifica to somewhere else in the Bay, or maybe even outside of the Bay Area," a spokesperson said. "We've got similar issues as other live events like the Fillmore Jazz Festival just had. No one wants to go in the red holding these live events and then have debts."
