Surfing Dogs Ride Waves to Save Orphan Pets at Annual Surf-a-Thon
Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. – September 16, 2026 -- Dogs of all sizes are hitting the waves this year at Helen Woodward Animal Center's Surf Dog Surf-a-Thon, an event where canine surfing skills translate directly into rescue funding for orphan pets.
Competitors surf in 10-minute heats judged by surf pros
Dogs compete in weight-class heats, each lasting 10 minutes, while a panel of surf professionals and enthusiasts score performances on ride length, wave technique, enthusiasm and confidence on the board. First-, second- and third-place winners are crowned in each weight class, with top finishers advancing to the Best-In-Surf finals.
A Freestyle contest lets dogs surf with friends and owners
A separate Freestyle Surf Contest features a Duos & Trios category, where two or three dogs share a single surfboard, and the Peeps & Pups Tandem Competition, pairing dogs with their human companions on the waves.