More than 60 dogs rode waves at Del Mar Dog Beach on Sunday, Sept. 13, as Helen Woodward Animal Center held its 21st annual Surf Dog Surf-a-Thon.
Tropical Storm Norbert had other plans for the finale. Rough surf forced organizers to scrap the traditional 10-minute Best in Surf heat and crown the top dog by cumulative point tally instead, according to the center. Thousands of spectators still lined the beach to watch dogs judged on ride length, wave technique, enthusiasm and confidence on the board.
The Rancho Santa Fe-based nonprofit bills the surf-a-thon as the nation's longest-running canine surf competition. The event raises funds for the center's adoption and therapeutic programs.
Winners were named in five weight classes:
- Extra Small: Petey (1st), Bradley Cooper (2nd), Carson (3rd)
- Small: Max (1st), Iza (2nd), Rocket (3rd)
- Medium: Albee (1st), Faith (2nd), Tazz (3rd)
- Large: Rippin Rosie (1st), Pippa (2nd), Koa (3rd)
- Extra Large: Barney Bear (1st), Rascal (2nd), Boscoe (3rd)
Faith, a 14-year-old pit bull who surfs in goggles, came out of retirement after a last-minute decision by owner James Wall. She placed second in the medium category and was inducted into the Surf Dog Hall of Fame alongside Sugar and Delilah.
Among the field's most compelling stories was Rusty, an 11-year-old miniature pinscher who returned to competitive surfing after battling cancer and being hit by a car. After months of rehabilitation, Rusty made it back to the board.
Zeke, a three-legged catahoula leopard dog, competed for the first time. His owner, Taylor, introduced him to the water about a year ago to help with discomfort from his condition. He took to surfing quickly.
The competition also featured a Freestyle Surf Contest, a Duos & Trios category and a Peeps & Pups Tandem Competition pairing dogs with their owners.
Lagudi-Devereux called the surf-a-thon one of the center's most popular events. "Every wave these dogs ride helps us give more animals the second chances they deserve," she said in a KPBS report published Sept. 14.
Helen Woodward Animal Center, founded in 1972, serves more than 90,000 people and 10,000 animals each year. No fundraising total for the 2026 surf-a-thon has been released.
