Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (July 25, 2024) – The dog days of summer are here and with them comes everyone’s favorite PAWter sport – Dog Surfing! For those who have ever wondered if their pup might get a good wag out of the waves, Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Surf Dog Classes have returned to Del Mar Dog Beach. Water-loving woofers can try their paw at the sport and get prepped for the Center’s annual Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon coming up this September 8th. SurFUR students are invited to dog paddle their way to the first lesson THIS SUNDAY, July 28th.
Believe it or not, dog surfing has existed as far back as the 1920’s, with dogs appearing in surfing films as early as the 1930’s. It was Helen Woodward Animal Center, however, that pioneered competitive dog surfing 18 years ago with the first Surf Dog Surf-a-Thon, utilizing the event to raise funds to save lives. In 2010 ESPN flew out to cover the 4th annual contest reaching approximately 400 million viewers across the world and launching Dog surfing into a global phenomenon.
To encourage surf dog enthusiasts, while focusing on the primary goal of safety, Helen Woodward Animal Center began partnering with the SoCal Surf Dogs on canine surf lessons in 2013. The SoCal Surf Dogs are a group of dog-loving surfers who founded their own club in 2009, with the goal of teaching and promoting safe Dog Surfing practices throughout Southern California.
All new surFurs begin their lessons on the beach with mandatory safety training, equipped with Canine Floatation Devices along with soft surf boards without leashes for maximum protection. Lessons progress by teaching pups how to stand on their boards, how to develop positive associations with these boards and finally moving into shallow water, where hopeful groMUTTs learn how to balance and float on their boards. To end class, the surFurs are given a chance to shred the waves in shallow waters with the guidance of Dog Surfing professionals.
“These lessons are a great way to bond with your dog, raise funds for orphan pets and find out if you want to compete with your pup in the September competition,” Jessica Gercke, PR Director of Helen Woodward Animal Center said. “By the end of his first lesson, my dog Wilson could ride a wave on his own and I was definitely the proudest mom on the beach.”
Dog Surfing lessons are $50 per session, per SurFur. (All proceeds support the pets and programs at Helen Woodward Animal Center.)
The first of three sessions will kick-off at 9:30 a.m. this Sunday, July 28th at Del Mar Dog Beach.
A second set of lessons will be available on Sunday, August 11th. All dogs must be registered to attend and spaces fill up quickly.
To register your pooch, visit: https://animalcenter.org/surf-dog-surf-a-thon/
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About Helen Woodward Animal Center
Helen Woodward Animal Center is a private, non-profit organization where “people help animals and animals help people.” Founded in 1972 in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., the Center provides services for more than 90,000 people and more than 10,000 animals annually through adoptions, educational and therapeutic programs both onsite and throughout the community. Helen Woodward Animal Center is also the creator of the International Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive, the International Remember Me Thursday® campaign and The Business of Saving Lives Workshops, teaching the business of saving lives to animal welfare leaders from around the world. For more information, go to: https://animalcenter.org.