Dog-Surfing Common Competition Rules

Dog-Surfing Competitions

Unlike with human surfers – Surfing Dogs cannot be leashed nor attached to surf boards during the competition – being attached to the surfing board is not safe for the Surfing Dog in the water.

Common Dog-Surfing Rules

Judges Must Observe

Performances are scored by the Dog Surfing Judges panel – each Surfing Dog can earn up to 10 points from each judge – points are awarded based on the following:

1. Surfing Dog must be a willing participant:

• Surfing Dog must be comfortable in the water
• Surfing Dog must be comfortable on the surf board
• Surfing Dog owners/handlers must never force the dog onto the surf boards
• Surfing Dog owners/handlers must never force the dog into the waves

 

2. Surfboard must be suitable for the Surfing Dog:

• Surfbod must be suitable for the Surfing Dog’s personal size
• Foam or soft-top boards provide the best grip
• Reduces potential Surfing Dog risks

 

3. Surfing Dog must have a suitable floatation device:

• Some events do not insist on floatation devices

 

4. Surfing Dog Handlers Launch the Surfing Dog:
5. Handler takes the Surfing Dog and board into the water
6. Handler can position the Surfing Dog and board
7. Handler can select the wave
8. Handler can push the surf board and Surfing Dog into the selected wave
9. Surfing Dog rides the wave towards the shore

 

5. Surfing Dog is Judged:

• Surfing Dog catches and rides a wave
• When Surfing Dog stays on the surf board
• Falling off the surf board early reduces the score
• Falling off the surf board early reduces the score
• Jumping off the surf board early reduces the score

 

6. Common Surfing Dog judging factors include:
7. Length of ride
8. Size and quality of wave
9. Surfing Dog confidence
10. Surfing Dogs positioning on the board during wave ride
11. Surfing Dogs overall surfing ability

 

7. Dog-Surfing Events often separate Surfing Dogs into Dog Weight Categories competition divisions:
8. Small Dog Surfing Heat – 1-20 pound dog
9. Medium Dog Surfing Heat – 21-40 pound dog
10. Large Dog Surfing Heat – 41-60 pound dog
11. Very Large Dog Surfing Heat – 61 pound or more dog
12. Tandem Dogs Surfing Heat – multiple dogs, any size
13. Tandem Human/Dog Surfing Heat – 1 human and 1 dog, any size

 

8. Dog Surfing Tandem surfing can be a separate class:

• Some events have divisions for two dogs on one board or a dog and human surfing together
• Some events have divisions for a Surfing Dog and Human/Handler surfing together

 

9. Handlers must monitor:
10. Water temperature
11. Local currents
12. Size of waves
13. All weather conditions

 

10. Surfer Dogs Safety comes before the score:

• Surfer Dogs showing panic should be removed from the water
• Surfer Dogs showing exhaustion should be removed from the water
• Surfer Dogs showing breathing problems should be removed from the water
• Surfer Dog s showing difficulty swimming should be removed from the water

 

11. Both Surfer Dogs and Handers must demonstrate Good sportsmanship:
12. Handlers need to keep their dogs under control around other Surfing Dogs
13. Handlers need to keep their dogs under control around people
14. . Handlers need to keep their dogs under control and avoid interfering with another competitor’s wave.

 

A particularly impressive Surfer Dog catches a good wave – stands confidently near the proper part of the board – maintains balance through changing water – rides a long distance and stays aboard until reaching the shallows.

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