Charlie, a 10-year-old yellow lab, is so passionate about surfing that he’ll eagerly rush toward the water with his surfboard. His owners occasionally have to hide the board if they want to socialize with friends on the beach.
On a recent Saturday, Charlie joined around 15 to 20 other canine surfers in Pacifica, located 14 miles (22 kilometers) south of San Francisco, for the World Dog Surfing Championships. This popular annual event attracts thousands of onlookers to Pacifica State Beach.
Dogs competed within categories based on their size for the opportunity to progress to the finals. There were also heats featuring dogs surfing together or with humans.
Breeds such as labs, terriers, and spaniels, equipped with monogrammed life vests, paddled into the Pacific Ocean. Once in position, their owners assisted them onto vibrant surfboards to ride the waves, while the crowd cheered from the shore.
Judges assessed the duration the dogs stayed on their boards, their ability to maintain balance, and any tricks they performed, such as turning around while surfing.
Charlie, who boasts his own Instagram account, participated in the extra-large single surfer division. He also surfed in tandem with two other dogs, making up what their owners proudly dubbed “The Dream Team.”
“He loves the crowd,” owner Maria Nieboer said.
Charlie and Nieboer’s husband, Jeff Nieboer, prepare for waves together. When Jeff spots a good one, he turns the board around and tells Charlie to “get ready.”
He pushes the board forward, and Charlie scrunches down and rides the wave as long as he can. Charlie can even steer the board by leaning and surfs toward an awaiting Maria on shore.
He doesn’t have to be rewarded with treats for any of it.
“Charlie does what Charlie wants to do once we’re in the water,” Jeff said.
Contest winners received medals and bragging rights.
Charlie’s “Dream Team” compatriot, fellow yellow lab Rosie, was in four heats. The 4-year-old’s owner, Steve Drottar, said she is “stoked” after they go surfing, which they do four to five times a week back home in Santa Cruz.
“It’s like, hey, we actually did something today, right? We did something together as a team,” Drottar said. “And the fact that you can do something as a team with your dog creates a different bond than you have when you just take your dog for a walk.”
He can tell Rosie feels a sense of accomplishment afterward because she is extra happy, wags her tail extra hard and snuggles even more than usual.
“It’s like we go home on the couch and it feels like she’s saying, ‘Thank you,’” Drottar said.
