Surfing Dogs Ride the Waves for Charity at 20th Annual Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon

World’s longest-running dog surfing competition has man’s best friend hanging ten while helping homeless pets find forever homes

The sun shone bright over Del Mar Dog Beach this past Sunday as over 50 four-legged surfers paddled out to catch waves for a cause that goes far beyond the stoke of riding the perfect curl. Helen Woodward Animal Center‘s 20th Annual Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon brought together talented and adorable surf-riding canine athletes for an event fusing athleticism, entertainment, and animal welfare fundraising.

Faith ( left rear), winner of the Best in Surf 1st Place trophy at the 2025 Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon takes a team ride – Photo Credit: Helen Woodward Animal Center

More Than Just a Competition

What started as a novel idea two decades ago has evolved into something truly special. Unlike other surf dog competitions that have sprouted up along the coast, The Helen Woodward Animal Center event stands out. Jennifer Gercke, the center’s communications director, explains, it is “the world’s longest-running surf dog event and the only one where 100% of proceeds support orphaned pets and the center’s programs.” She emphasized that “everyone on the sand was not only having a wonderful time but also helping to save lives.”

The dog surfing phenomenon has exploded in popularity in recent years, with competitions now held from Northern California’s Pacifica (home to the World Dog Surfing Championships) to Southern California’s Imperial Beach, where the very first dog surfing competition was conceived in 2006. But Woodward Center’s Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon remains unique in its mission-driven approach, highlighting adoption in a way that captures hearts.

Helen Woodward Animal Center, founded in 1972 by Helen Whittier Woodward, operates under the philosophy that “people help animals and animals help people” – a vision that extends far beyond their 12-acre Rancho Santa Fe campus to serve over 90,000 people and 10,000 animals annually.

The Ultimate Canine Athletes

The competition wasn’t just about wave-riding pups – it was about showcasing the incredible bond between humans and their furry companions. Dogs were judged on ride length, wave technique, enthusiasm, and confidence on the board during 10-minute heats, with competitions divided by weight classes leading up to the coveted “Best-In-Surf” finals.

Faith, winner of the Best in Surf 1st Place trophy at the 2025 Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon with owner James Wall – Photo Credit: Helen Woodward Animal Center

Last year’s champion, Petey, returned to defend his title alongside dozens of hopeful challengers ready to prove their surf prowess. But Faith reigned supreme in the judges eyes for 2025 leaving Petey to settle for 2nd Place honors this year.

Faith’s victory was especially meaningful – she and owner James Wall have been competing for an incredible 13 years after Faith was rescued as a puppy from a parking lot. While Petey claimed last year’s overall “Best in Surf” title, Faith’s perseverance finally paid off with this year’s top honor.

The event featured multiple competition categories designed to showcase different talents:

Traditional Single-Dog Heats: Individual pups showing off their balance and wave-reading skills
Duos & Trios: Multiple dogs sharing a single surfboard (yes, really!)
Peeps & Pups Tandem: Human and canine teams riding together
Freestyle Competition: Creative surfing with points for innovation and style

2025 Competition Results

The complete results showcased incredible talent across all divisions:

Best in Surf Champions:

🥇 Faith
🥈 Petey
🥉 Rascal

Division Winners:

Extra Small: Petey (1st), Carson (2nd), Sammy Jr (3rd)
Small: Iza (1st), Max (2nd), Rocket (3rd)
Medium: Faith (1st), Gilberth (2nd), Taz (3rd)
Large: Charlie (1st), Rippin Rosie (2nd), Dr. Koa (3rd)
Extra Large: Rascal (1st), Milo (2nd), Barney (3rd)

Freestyle Competition Winners:

Duos & Trios: Rippin Rosie, Charlie & Carson
Peeps & Pups: Max & Patrick

Costume Contest Adds to Fun

Even dogs and pet parents who don’t surf had a chance to show off and compete. The costume contest added extra flair, with Bogie stealing the show dressed as Top Gun’s Maverick, while Marley & Mazie took second place bringing Halloween horror as Chucky and the Bride of Chucky.

2025 Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon Costume Contest Winners take to the awards stage – Photo Credit: Helen Woodward Animal Center

Legends and Legacy

This year’s event held special significance as it honored a pair of legendary surf dogs. A Hall of Fame ceremony recognized Derby California and Cherie the Surfing Frenchie, two canines who helped establish the sport and inspire countless other four-legged wave riders.

Derby California and Cherie the Surfing Frenchie enter the So Cal Surf Dogs Hall of Fame – Photo Credit: Helen Woodward Animal Center

A Day of Family Fun with Purpose

Beyond the main competition, families enjoyed a full day of activities that reinforced the event’s community spirit:

Live beach music setting the perfect coastal vibe
A crowd-pleasing Canine Costume Contest (because who doesn’t love a dressed-up dog?)
Free kids’ activities with crafts and games
The BARKet Place featuring pet-focused vendor booths
A complimentary agility course for dogs
An awards ceremony celebrating the day’s champions

“There’s a reason this is one of our most popular events of the year,” said Center Special Events Manager Eva Lagudi-Devereux. “There’s so much love on the beach. The love these pet parents have for their dogs, and the joy these dogs experience doing something they adore with their owners, reminds us all that pets do really enhance our lives.”

No day of surfing is quite complete without a wipeout – Photo Credit: Helen Woodward Animal Center

The Helen Woodward Difference

What makes Helen Woodward Animal Center special extends far beyond this single event. As a no-kill facility that receives no government funding, the organization maintains a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and has earned recognition from the United Nations, holding special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council.

The center’s impact reaches globally through initiatives like the International Home 4 the Holidays adoption campaign, which has expanded from 14 San Diego shelters in 1999 to an international movement, and Remember Me Thursday, which raises awareness for shelter pets worldwide.

Riding Waves of Change

The growing popularity of dog surfing competitions reflects something deeper – the incredible bond between humans and their pets, and the lengths people will go to share adventures with their four-legged family members. Stories like that of Iza, a French Bulldog whose owner taught her to balance on a surfboard during the pandemic, demonstrate how these competitions celebrate the waves of love and joy pets bring to our lives while defying expectations about what different dogs can accomplish.

As the 20th Annual Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon wrapped up with its awards ceremony celebrating Faith’s Best in Surf victory and all the day’s champions, the real winners were clear: the homeless animals who will benefit from the funds raised, and the community that came together to support Helen Woodward Animal Center’s life-saving mission.

The event perfectly embodies Helen Woodward’s founding vision – that when people help animals, magic happens. And sometimes, that magic looks like a determined dog shredding a California wave while helping save lives, one splash at a time.

Waikiki Beach boy Buster Howls, a.k.a. @partyanimal, covered this event as a guest reporter with assistance from the Pawzhub editorial staff.