Helen Woodward Animal Center Invites Fido to Fetch Some Waves for Orphan pets
Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (August 28, 2018) – It’s almost here! For months, top surf dog contenders and newbies have been training hard
and attending Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Surf Dog and SUP Lessons in paw-paration for the longest running surf dog competition in the country. Helen Woodward Animal Center’s 13th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-Thon, presented by Blue Buffalo, dives into action at Dog Beach Del Mar on Sunday, September 9th, 2018, from 8am to 2pm PST.
Register here.
Throughout July and August, water-loving dogs and their favorite people partners have been learning the ropes and perfecting their skills on the waves with help from the experts at SoCal Surf Dogs. This summer, more than 120 GromMUTTS signed up for the special lessons with 100% of the proceeds supporting Helen Woodward Animal Center’s orphan pets and programs.
Now surf dogs can hardly wait to show off the skills they’ve fetched at the ultimate summer-closer. Helen Woodward’s Surf Dog Surf-a-Thon was the first-of-its-kind, turning ‘dogs on surfboards’ into a platform to raise life-saving funds and reminding the world that “man’s best friend” can do phenomenal things.
The live-streamed event features more than 70 dogs competing in different weight classes for the coveted title of “Top Surf Dog 2018.” The canine competitors will ride into 10 minute heats with help from their human parents and “hang 20” before a panel of judges consisting of celebrities, surf pros and aficionados.
Each dog is judged on their ability to ride the waves, stay on the board and show off their surf spirit. First, second, and third place winners will be awarded for each weight class and the first place winners will move on to the finals – Best-In-Surf. But the fun on the water doesn’t end there. A unique freestyle surf contest will award points for creativity! Tandem rides for dogs who can ride with their best friends and even their favorite human, eye-catching tricks and costumes are encouraged to wow the judges.
Del Mar Dog Beach is the place to be to witness the cutest surf competition of the year. Spectators can lounge back and take part in dog and family-friendly activities. They will include live beach tunes, 50 interactive vendor booths with great gifts, snacks and dog items available for purchase, food, the crowd favorite Canine Costume Contest, drawings and a FREE special Kid’s Activity area – with crafts, games and more! Plus, the Surf Dog Hall-of-Fame Induction Ceremony will take place.
For the 13th year, surf dogs and their human parents have been fundraising and catching waves with tail-wagging enthusiasm for a good cause. There’s still time to register your favorite sur-FUR! 100 percent of the proceeds from the annual Surf Dog Surf-a-Thon support the life-saving work at Helen Woodward Animal Center. Top fundraising pooches not only get to help orphan pets, additionally the top fundraiser will receive a surf-photoshoot with their picture featured on the 2019 Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon billboard, seen by thousands throughout San Diego.
For more information on the Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon, visit www.animalcenter.org or call 858-756-4117.
If you can’t be there in person, you can watch the livestream at animalcenter.org at 8:30am PT/11:30am ET.