10th annual World Dog Surfing Championships to be held Saturday in Pacifica

"Charlie" shakes off while surfing to shore during the extra-large dogs surfing Heat 1 at the World Championships for Dog Surfing at Linda Mar State Beach in Pacifica, Calif., on Saturday, August 2, 2025. (Autumn DeGrazia/Bay City News)

Nearly 20 different dogs, from scruffy terriers to Labrador retrievers, will show off their best surfing skills Saturday,
August 1, at the 10th annual World Dog Surfing Championships in Pacifica.

Dogs of all different breeds and sizes will compete for the ultimate prize at Linda Mar Beach during the free event, which will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

The dogs will compete in various “heats” throughout the day, categorizing dogs by size. There are also dogs participating in categories with their human partners, such as standup paddle-boarding and tandem surfing.

Some returning dogs include miniature pinscher Rusty, Labrador retriever Rippin Rosie, and Carson Surf Dog. 

A team of judges will evaluate their performances and declare a winner from each category. Judges will score each dog based on length of ride, size of the wave, confidence, balance and extra tricks. 

The winners of the small, medium, and large-size categories will then go head-to-head for the grand prize. 

Competitors will then retreat to Puerto 27 Restaurant for an “Apres Surf” gathering until 5 p.m. It will include food, drinks, and a meet-and-greet.

In the past, the competition has drawn thousands of spectators, who descend on the beach to catch a glimpse of the four-legged surfers in action.

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