World Dog Surfing Championships held in Pacifica, California draws hundreds

The 10th World Dog Surfing Championships took place on Saturday at Pacifica Beach, about 14 miles south of San Francisco, California. Hundreds of spectators watched dogs of all sizes—spaniels, labs and more—surf on boards while wearing colorful life vests. Judges scored competitors on time on the board, wave size and confidence, with separate heats for small, medium and large dogs and tandem events that paired dogs with each other or with owners.

The event also featured a pet‑adoption fair and fundraising for local animal charities. One standout was Rusty, a Miniature Pinscher from Huntington Beach, whose owner Sophia Sadlowski entered him after a playful photo shoot. Rusty, four months old at his first competition, placed third in the small‑dog category and has since become a regular surfer, with both owner and dog now cancer‑free.