• Prince Dudeman, right, and Flofy ride a wave together as they compete at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center Surf-A-Thon where more than 70 dogs competed in five different weight classes for "Top Surf Dog 2019" in Del Mar, California, US on September 8, 2019. Reuters
    Prince Dudeman, right, and Flofy ride a wave together as they compete at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center Surf-A-Thon where more than 70 dogs competed in five different weight classes for "Top Surf Dog 2019" in Del Mar, California, US on September 8, 2019. Reuters
  • Prince Dudeman stands on Ryan Thor's head at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
    Prince Dudeman stands on Ryan Thor's head at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
  • Prince Dudeman, right, and Flofy ride a wave together as they compete at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
    Prince Dudeman, right, and Flofy ride a wave together as they compete at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
  • Rusty the surfing minpin waits to compete in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon" where more than 70 dogs competed in five different weight classes for "Top Surf Dog 2019". Reuters
    Rusty the surfing minpin waits to compete in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon" where more than 70 dogs competed in five different weight classes for "Top Surf Dog 2019". Reuters
  • A small dog is suited up to compete at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
    A small dog is suited up to compete at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
  • A small dog wears a life jacket during the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon" where more than 70 dogs competed in five different weight classes for "Top Surf Dog 2019". Reuters
    A small dog wears a life jacket during the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon" where more than 70 dogs competed in five different weight classes for "Top Surf Dog 2019". Reuters
  • Flofy rides a wave as she competes at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
    Flofy rides a wave as she competes at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
  • Prince Dudeman (R) and Flofy sit on the beach waiting for their heats to begin at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
    Prince Dudeman (R) and Flofy sit on the beach waiting for their heats to begin at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
  • A small dog competes in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon" where more than 70 dogs competed in five different weight classes for "Top Surf Dog 2019". Reuters
    A small dog competes in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon" where more than 70 dogs competed in five different weight classes for "Top Surf Dog 2019". Reuters
  • A small dog competes in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
    A small dog competes in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
  • A dog rides a wave during competition at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
    A dog rides a wave during competition at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
  • A small dog jumps off his surfboard while competing at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon" where more than 70 dogs competed in five different weight classes for "Top Surf Dog 2019". Reuters
    A small dog jumps off his surfboard while competing at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon" where more than 70 dogs competed in five different weight classes for "Top Surf Dog 2019". Reuters
  • A dog jumps off a surfboard during competition at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
    A dog jumps off a surfboard during competition at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
  • A small dog competes in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
    A small dog competes in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
  • Flofy is carried back to the beach after competing at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon" where more than 70 dogs competed in five different weight classes for "Top Surf Dog 2019". Reuters
    Flofy is carried back to the beach after competing at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon" where more than 70 dogs competed in five different weight classes for "Top Surf Dog 2019". Reuters
  • A man hugs his dog before they compete in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon" where more than 70 dogs competed in five different weight classes for "Top Surf Dog 2019". Reuters
    A man hugs his dog before they compete in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon" where more than 70 dogs competed in five different weight classes for "Top Surf Dog 2019". Reuters
  • A boy falls while his dog keeps riding as they compete in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
    A boy falls while his dog keeps riding as they compete in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
  • A large crowd watches from the beach as dogs compete in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
    A large crowd watches from the beach as dogs compete in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
  • A dog rides a wave while competing at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
    A dog rides a wave while competing at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
  • Dogs race to the beach to begin their timed heat as they compete in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
    Dogs race to the beach to begin their timed heat as they compete in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
  • A dog jumps off his surfboard while competing at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon" where more than 70 dogs competed in five different weight classes for "Top Surf Dog 2019". Reuters
    A dog jumps off his surfboard while competing at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon" where more than 70 dogs competed in five different weight classes for "Top Surf Dog 2019". Reuters
  • A dog stands backwards riding a wave while competing at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
    A dog stands backwards riding a wave while competing at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
  • A dog jumps off a surfboard while competing at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
    A dog jumps off a surfboard while competing at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
  • A dog jumps off a surfboard while competing at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
    A dog jumps off a surfboard while competing at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
  • A dog rides a wave while competing at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
    A dog rides a wave while competing at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
  • A small dog jumps off his surfboard while competing at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
    A small dog jumps off his surfboard while competing at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
  • A dog tries to stay on his surfboard while competing at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon" where more than 70 dogs competed in five different weight classes for "Top Surf Dog 2019". Reuters
    A dog tries to stay on his surfboard while competing at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon" where more than 70 dogs competed in five different weight classes for "Top Surf Dog 2019". Reuters
  • Dogs and owners race to the beach to begin their timed heat as they compete in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
    Dogs and owners race to the beach to begin their timed heat as they compete in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
  • Workers set up a display on the beach at 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon" where more than 70 dogs competed in five different weight classes for "Top Surf Dog 2019" in Del Mar, California. Reuters
    Workers set up a display on the beach at 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon" where more than 70 dogs competed in five different weight classes for "Top Surf Dog 2019" in Del Mar, California. Reuters
  • A dog rides his board all the way to the beach as he competes in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon" where more than 70 dogs competed in five different weight classes for "Top Surf Dog 2019". Reuters
    A dog rides his board all the way to the beach as he competes in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon" where more than 70 dogs competed in five different weight classes for "Top Surf Dog 2019". Reuters
  • Three dogs try and ride a wave together as they compete in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
    Three dogs try and ride a wave together as they compete in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
  • A man and his dog ride a wave together as they compete in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon" where more than 70 dogs competed in five different weight classes for "Top Surf Dog 2019". Reuters
    A man and his dog ride a wave together as they compete in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon" where more than 70 dogs competed in five different weight classes for "Top Surf Dog 2019". Reuters
  • A dog pulls his surfboard to the water to begin his heat during competition at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
    A dog pulls his surfboard to the water to begin his heat during competition at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
  • A woman surfs with her dog as she competes in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
    A woman surfs with her dog as she competes in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
  • A man and his dog ride a wave together as they compete in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
    A man and his dog ride a wave together as they compete in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
  • People compete as they surf with their dogs at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
    People compete as they surf with their dogs at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
  • A dog shakes water off after competing in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
    A dog shakes water off after competing in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
  • Owners of surf dogs set up their equipment before competing in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon" where more than 70 dogs competed in five different weight classes for "Top Surf Dog 2019" in Del Mar, California. Reuters
    Owners of surf dogs set up their equipment before competing in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon" where more than 70 dogs competed in five different weight classes for "Top Surf Dog 2019" in Del Mar, California. Reuters
  • Wet dogs watch from the beach after competing in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
    Wet dogs watch from the beach after competing in the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
  • Flofy falls while riding a wave as she competes at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
    Flofy falls while riding a wave as she competes at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
  • A small dog jumps off his surfboard while competing at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters
    A small dog jumps off his surfboard while competing at the 14th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center "Surf-A-Thon". Reuters

Surf's pup: these 41 photos of dogs riding the waves in California will make your day


Evelyn Lau
  • English
  • Arabic

What’s better than dogs surfing? How about dogs surfing for a good cause.

The annual Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon took place at Del Mar Dog Beach in California on Sunday, September 8. In conjunction with the Helen Woodward Animal Centre in San Diego, the 14th iteration of the surfing event helped raise money and awareness for the animal shelter.

The event saw dogs of all sizes riding on surfboards. More than 70 dogs competed in 10-minute heats based on weight class. Each dog was judged on their ability to ride the waves, stay on the board and, of course, the fun factor.

This year's competition also featured a freestyle surf contest where points were rewarded for creativity: dogs rode by themselves, with another furry friend and even together with their owners.