15+ Photos Of Incredibly Talented Dogs Who Can Catch A Wave On A Surfboard (Look At Them Go!)

Rose Reilly | August 23, 2025 6:30 pm

Dog surfing competitions have grown into a lively and distinctive tradition, bringing together dogs and their owners to catch waves at events across the globe. Most contests are divided into categories based on the size and weight of the dogs, and many even feature costume contests for an extra splash of fun.

But there's more to these events than just entertainment—they often serve a greater purpose. Proceeds typically benefit charities focused on rehoming shelter dogs and supporting environmental initiatives. It’s a joyful way for pups and their humans to hit the surf while contributing to meaningful causes.

Tandem Team Yellow

Photo: David McNew/Getty Images
Photo: David McNew/Getty Images

Tandem surfing with dogs brings a delightful twist to the traditional sport, blending fun, skill, and companionship. While the owner navigates the waves, the dog enjoys the ride—often perched proudly with a beloved toy in tow. It's a true testament to teamwork, with both surfer and pup gliding in sync.

The dog appears totally relaxed, basking in the ocean breeze and soaking up the spotlight without letting go of its prized possession. Their shared rhythm and connection often lead to some of the most touching and memorable moments in surf dog competitions.

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Hop On!

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Photo: GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images
Photo: GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images
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How many dogs can fit on a surfboard at once? Surprisingly, quite a few! These wave-loving pups are paddling back to shore after their owner gave them a gentle push into the surf. Sporting colorful leis and bright costumes, they're fully embracing the sunny vibes of Imperial Beach, CA.

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It’s a wonderful reminder that with the right spirit, dogs of all shapes and sizes can dive into the surfer lifestyle and have a blast doing it!

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A Pro Surfer Taught Her Dogs How To Surf

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Photo: TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/AFP/Getty Images
Photo: TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/AFP/Getty Images
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Nao Omura, pictured here riding at the back of the surfboard, is a pro surfer from Japan who loves sharing the waves with her dogs.

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During an interview with her sponsor Roxy, she revealed, "My dogs adore swimming, so one day I invited them onto my boards. After catching their very first wave, they were instantly hooked—now they're always eager to jump back on and ride wave after wave!"

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Let's Go Surfing Now, Everybody's Learning How

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Photo: Ronen Tivony/NurPhoto/Getty Images
Photo: Ronen Tivony/NurPhoto/Getty Images
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The Helen Woodward Animal Center's Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon in Del Mar, California, is a beloved annual event that’s been making a splash for over ten years. With around 70 dogs registered to surf, it draws some of the top canine wave riders from around the globe.

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To keep things fair, pups are grouped by weight classes so they compete against others their size. Each dog gets 10 minutes to catch waves and show off their skills. But the event is about more than just surfing—it’s also a fundraiser supporting the Helen Woodward Animal Center’s rescue and animal welfare programs. Filled with wagging tails, friendly rivalries, and nonstop surf fun, it’s truly a day to celebrate pups and the joy they bring.

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Abbie Was Born to Surf

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Photo: MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images
Photo: MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images
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Even experienced human surfers can find it tough to keep their balance when a wave closes out, but Abbie has mastered the art with ease.

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As an Australian Kelpie mix, she belongs to a breed celebrated for remarkable stamina, boundless energy, and a passion for staying active. Known for their sharp intelligence and eagerness to tackle new challenges, Kelpies are natural athletes—making surfing an ideal sport for a dog like Abbie.

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Hanging Five

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Photo: David McNew/Getty Images
Photo: David McNew/Getty Images
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"Hanging five" is a truly impressive surfing trick! When a dog places one paw over the nose of the board, it demonstrates excellent balance and skill—just like human surfers who pull off similar moves. The life vests they wear provide crucial safety by keeping them buoyant and easy to rescue if necessary. Plus, the vibrant colors make the dogs highly visible in the water, especially when the surf is crowded. It's incredible how these surfing pups share such a strong connection with their owners, both on land and out at sea!

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Hanzo Can Handle It

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Photo: JOE KLAMAR/AFP/GettyImages
Photo: JOE KLAMAR/AFP/GettyImages
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Although plenty of dogs can ride a decent wave, few seem completely in control—but Hanzo stands out. This German Boxer is an excellent surfer who even mastered skateboarding by the time he was just 10 weeks old.

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Living in Huntington Beach, home to the annual dog surfing competition, gives Hanzo a real edge. He's been competing for nearly ten years and has won first place multiple times.

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Skyler's Human is a Professional Surfer

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Photo: MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images
Photo: MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images
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Skyler is another surfing dog with a rescue background. Her owner, Homer Henard, is a professional surfer from Santa Cruz.

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Speaking to California's Adventure Sports Journal, Homer shared, "I took her out surfing on a small day, and she absolutely loved it. From that moment on, there was no turning back. Skyler wasn't like other dogs—she always wanted to be part of whatever I was doing. She genuinely thinks she’s human."

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Shark Coming Through

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Photo: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
Photo: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
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Following the success of the shark costume for dogs at Halloween, a shark fin life vest was created—and we couldn't be happier. This pup is making GoPro-worthy moments with his shark fin and huge grin while riding a wave.

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Here he is taking part in the Unleashed By Petco Surf City Surf Dog Competition in Huntington Beach, California.

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Hot Dogging in Huntington Beach

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Photo: FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images
Photo: FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images
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Hanzo rides on the back of the board while Kalani takes the front in this shot. These pups are competing in the 5th Annual Surf Dog competition held in Huntington Beach, California.

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Decked out in superhero costumes, they're aiming to win every division. These dogs sure know how to steal the spotlight!

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Wipeout!

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Photo: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
Photo: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
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Greyhounds are famous for their lightning-fast speed, and this one looks like it's sprinting across the water! Of course, wipeouts are part of the surfing experience—and this pup just learned that firsthand.

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Owners of surfing dogs put in plenty of effort to help their pups feel at ease in the water. They begin with simple, low-pressure training and gradually build up as the dog gains confidence. They're also always nearby, ready to step in and retrieve the board—and the dog—when the waves get a little too wild.

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Go, Tillman Go!

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Photo: MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images
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Tillman the bulldog was truly one-of-a-kind. With his love for skateboarding and surfing, he captured the hearts of millions around the world. His owner, Ron Davis, helped share Tillman's incredible skills, and videos of the bulldog performing tricks became viral sensations, with one video garnering over 21 million views!

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Tillman wasn't just a fun-loving dog—he was also a Guinness World Record holder for the world's fastest skateboarding dog, an impressive feat that showcased his balance, determination, and love for adventure. His unique personality and talent made him a beloved figure, and though he passed away in 2015, his legacy as a skateboarding and surfing sensation lives on in the hearts of his fans.

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Abbie Went From Rescue Dog to World Record Holder

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Photo: Ronen Tivony/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo: Ronen Tivony/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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Abbie's story is truly inspiring! This incredible rescue dog not only became a surfing sensation but also holds some impressive records. As the first dog to be inducted into the Surfing Hall of Fame, she set the world record for the longest wave surfed by a dog, showing off her incredible skills and determination.

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Abbie's journey is especially heartwarming because she was found on the side of the road in Silicon Valley, where she was rescued and given a new lease on life. From a rough start to becoming one of the most famous surfing dogs on the planet, Abbie’s story proves that with love, dedication, and a bit of talent, anything is possible!

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Get Off My Wave, Kook!

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Photo: FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images
Photo: FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images
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It's important to learn surfing etiquette before paddling out, and something went haywire here. These two dogs took the same wave in and ended up bumping boards at the shoreline.

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Owners take their dogs out on soft top boards that are covered in a sponge-like material so they won't get hurt when rails bump like they did here.

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Tucking Into the Curl

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Photo by Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
Photo by Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
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Whether or not she knows it, this pooch is setting herself up perfectly. Turning right into the curl, she's set to pick up speed and maybe even get barreled.

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The dogs are judged by the length of the ride, technique, confidence, size of the wave and style. This dog is scoring high.

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The Best Costume Contest is Always a Hoot

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Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
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The costume contest is a fan favorite at many of the dog surfing competitions. Owners dress their dogs up in hats, sunglasses, superhero outfits and more.

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More than 5,000 people showed up to watch the Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon in Del Mar in 2017. The contest raised $80,000 to help homeless pets, many of them cats and dogs that were affected by Hurricane Harvey.

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Dogs Have Been Surfing for a While

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Dog surfing contests have been around for over a decade, but dogs were surfing way before that. Here's an archive photo of a man surfing with his dog back in the 1940s.

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It looks like he's surfing Queens Beach in Waikiki, where gentle, long waves and warm tropical waters make it perfect for longboarding. This dog wanted to get in on the fun!

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Turn!

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Photo: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
Photo: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
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For the contests that require owners to push their dogs into waves and let them do the rest, the dogs are the ones in control. Once the wave starts going, it's up to the pooch to navigate the board through the surf.

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This dog is doing a good job of keeping her weight on the back of the board to keep the nose up, otherwise, she'll wipe out!

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These Guys Win the Tandem Contest Every Time

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Photo: John W Grover / Barcroft Media /Barcoft Media/Getty Images
Photo: John W Grover / Barcroft Media /Barcoft Media/Getty Images
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Scott Chandler and his dog Zoey love paddling out and catching waves together. Here they're pictured at the Loews Coronado Surf Dog contest.

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Zoey the Jack Russell Terrier weighs in at around 15 lbs, which means she can go airborne sometimes! They've won the tandem even every time they've entered. When they aren't competing, Chandler also brings his daughter on the board with them.

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Frenchies Love Boards

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Photo: Gary Friedman/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
Photo: Gary Friedman/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
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Like English bulldogs, French bulldogs love riding boards, too. This Frenchie is named Luigi. He's auditioning for a dog skimboarding competition sponsored by Natural Balance Pet Foods.

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Have you ever seen a happier dog?! Good luck getting him to leave! Many Frenchies will steal their owners' skateboards and learn on their own. Luigi looks to be a natural.