Canines To Catch Waves At Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon In San Diego County

SAN DIEGO, CA — Some of the world's most talented canines will catch waves during this weekend's annual dog surfing competition in San Diego County.

The 18th annual Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon, slated Sunday at Dog Beach in Del Mar, will feature surf competitions, a costume contest, a canine agility course, pet vendors and an awards presentation. The event raises money for Helen Woodward Animal Center.

"There's a reason this is one of our most popular events," Eva Lagudi-Devereux, Helen Woodward Animal Center's special events manager, told Patch. "The absolute heart in this day is unmatched. The love these pet parents have for their dogs, and the joy these dogs have doing something they adore with their owners, reminds us all that pets do really change our lives for the better."

The animal shelter and nonprofit in Rancho Santa Fe held its first dog surfing competition in 2005.

Last year, about 50 competing surfing dogs participated in the event, according to Jessica Gercke from Helen Woodward Animal Center. Event organizers expect as many, if not more pups, to hit the waves during the longest-running four-legged surfing competition.

"Surfing dogs have been around ever since surfers brought their dogs to the beach and dogs jumped on the boards to be with their owners," Gercke told Patch. "But as far as actual surf competitions, Helen Woodward Animal Center was the first to pitch a surfing dog competition, and to this day, the center's Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon is the only one of its kind with 100 percent of the proceeds supporting orphan pets and programs."

Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at Dog Beach in Del Mar.

For those who can't make the event, portions of the Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon will be livestreamed on Helen Woodward Animal Center's Facebook and Instagram accounts.