Luke Morris

The new world of dog surfing is actually old. Not surprising since we’ve got water rescue dogs, some that even leap out of helicopters. But not all canines take a splash out of loyalty and dedication. Some dogs love water: with four legs and a low center of gravity, it’s relatively easy for them to hang ten. Dog surfing has become increasingly popular since 2006 when the first significant competition was held in California. But dogs have been recorded taking part in surfing since the 1920s. Some famous dog surfing pioneers are Spot, Night Hawk, Rusty, and Max. Surfing isn’t for every pup. Some have a more stereotypical cat attitude when it comes to water. Others might adore getting wet but do not enjoy the sensation of the “ground” shifting under their paws. But for some dogs, surfing is more fun than going for a walk. Thus, we’re taking you back to the canine who started it all and how you can tell if surfing is right for your best friend. Is Dog Surfing Real? Exploring The History And Origins Of This Exciting Sport Dog surfing is real, from dogs hitting the waves solo to sharing with their human. In 2016, The World Dog Surfing Championships debuted in Pacifica, California. But don’t be fooled; while dog surfing as a competitive sport is relatively recent, as a pastime, it’s been around for nearly a century. Sons Of The Surf Films The Dog Spot Surfing In 1926 In 1926, the documentary Sons of the Surf recorded surfers on the Hawaii island of Oahu at Waikiki Beach. It wasn’t the first filmed documentary of Hawaiian surf culture. In 1906, Thomas A. Edison shot “Hawaiian Islands,” displaying surfers using both arms simultaneously to paddle. But a unique surfer was introduced five minutes into the Son of the Surf: a dog named Spot. On The Waves At Waikiki Films Terrier Night Hawk In 1932 But Spot wasn’t the only dog on Oahu Island with the surf bug. Around 1932, a new silent documentary was released called The Waves At Waikiki featuring a terrier named Night Hawk hanging 10 to the delight of his owner Phillip K. Auna. Rusty And Max Take Dog Surfing To The US Mainland Four-pawed surfing gradually made it to the mainland. Legendary surf photographer Doc Ball snapped Jim Baily and his cocker Spaniel Rusty surfing at Hermosa Beach in 1946. The photograph was later featured in Life Magazine. “Movie gal gave him that dog,” Doc told Malcolm Gault-Williams in 1998. The photo made it to Europe, where the English public “were all over me about torturing that little dog.” But Doc disagrees with their assessment, saying the dog would “scratch your ears off trying to get on your board.” But the dog that made it to the big time was Max, a terrier owned by Dave “DC” Chalmers. The duo was featured in films, TV shows, and many surf magazines in the 70s and early 80s. But the pair are best known for their stint in Those Amazing Animals. 2006: Dog Surf Competitions Become A Thing Dog surfing competitions are still relatively new despite dogs participating in the sport since the 1920s. The first big dog surfing competition was held in California in 2006, sponsored by TasteTV. The event was popular and led to the 2009 book The Dog’s Guide To Surfing, now in its 5th Edition. The book legitimized the sport, and more competitions followed. Thus, by 2011, fifty dogs took to the waves at the Loews Coronado Bay Result Dog Competition, and dogs were split into three categories: Small, Medium, and Large. There were also two tandem categories: dog + dog and dog + human. In addition, safety equipment began to be mandated, such as requiring dogs to wear a life jacket or vest. 2016 brought the sport to The World Dog Surfing Championships. Come 2017, mainstream news caught on to the action, and coverage included NPR and Good Morning America. They now have social media accounts, including @worlddogsurfing on IG and Twitter. Alas, the 2017 World’s winner Abbie Girl is no longer with us. But her Instagram account can still be viewed by fans. Do Dogs Enjoy Surfing? Understanding The Science Behind Canine Water Sports Some dogs do enjoy surfing. Dogs, like many domesticated animals, have been bred for various tasks. Some breeds have historically been used to retrieve waterfowl for hunters. Thus, these canine friends take to water much like a duck. Others, not so much. But unlike ducks, dogs don’t instinctively know how to swim, although many seem to figure it out almost instantaneously. However, all dogs use a similar “dog paddle,” according to a study by West Chester University biologist Frank Fish. His research showed that the “swimming gate” resembled that of a trot. In addition, dogs use the same type of “trot” despite the fact that they don’t all have the same walking gait. The gait unused by dogs in swimming brings the legs up close to the body after the forward stroke. The tucking of the leg reduces drag, allowing the “pull” to bring them further than if they used their land gait. Thus, the reason some dogs struggle in water is not due to different doggie paddle styles but due to their proportions. For example, short legs and long bodies will struggle. In addition, dogs with flatter faces have a harder time keeping their nose and eyes clear of water than those with a more classic face, as found on a Golden Retriever or Labrador. Dogs with thick and heavy coats will also have difficulty staying afloat. But your best friend doesn’t have to be built like a champion waterfowl retriever to enjoy surfing. However, they do need to love getting wet. How To Play Dog Surfing: Tips, Tricks, And Best Practices For Keeping Your Pup Safe Before introducing your dog to surfing, you need to ensure your dog enjoys water play. Some dogs simply hate it or, like Chihuahuas, their … Read more

Surfing is a life-changing sport. The exhilarating rush and the peace while waiting for a wave benefit our mental and physical health. But surfing is not without its tragedies. Like horse riding, skiing, mountaineering, and racing, there are fatalities. Famous surfing accidents that changed the sport forever include Mark Food, Andy Irons, Bethany Hamilton, and Sion Milosky. These athletes have inspired many. But their tragic accidents have also caused the surfing community to find methods to mitigate risk, such as having jet ski water safety crews. Surfing is not as deadly as many headlines suggest. Attempts at gathering data have led to surf fatalities stats of .05 per 1 million surfer deaths per year, .28 per 100,000 for male crude surf beach drowning rate, and 2.36 per 100,000 for international tourists. Nonetheless, lives are claims claimed, even of the most talented and skilled, and each has a story. The Tragic Stories Of Surfers Who Pushed The Limits Surfing is a thrilling and challenging sport that comes with inherent risks. Over the years, many surfers have pushed the limits of what’s possible, and as a result, some have suffered from tragic accidents. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most famous surfing accidents that have changed the sport forever. The Tragic Story Of Mark Foo Mark Foo redefined what was possible in big wave surfing. Tragically, he lost his life at Mavericks in Northern California after taking on a seemingly unremarkable wave. But surfing at Mavericks comes with hidden risks. We’ll look at Mark Foo’s life, death, and why Mavericks has unique dangers. Mark Foo Was Prepared To Pay The Ultimate Price “To get the ultimate thrill,” Foo often said, “you have to be willing to pay the ultimate price.” Foo knew how to push the sport to the ultimate thrill. In 1985, he was reported to attempt a wave over 60 feet, unheard of at that point in the sport. Foo didn’t succeed and ended up being rescued by helicopter. But the attempt raised his profile amongst the surfing community and made people rethink what was possible. Not bad for a man who wasn’t taught how to swim until he was ten. December 23, 1994: Mark Foo’s Last Wave Mark Foo was addicted to big waves. The right kind would have him dropping everything to surf the big one. Thus, on December 22, 1994, he caught a red-eye after hearing that an Alaskan cold front was producing massive ways in Half Moon Bay in Northern California. The spot was known as Mavericks, where waves break off Pillar Point. But when he arrived, the water had changed. Gone were the promised 50-footers. Instead, Mavericks was offering waves of 15-35 feet. Far from small, but not what Foo hoped. Nonetheless, he was there, and so were many big names, such as Brock Little, Mark “Doc” Renneker, Mike Parsons, and Ken Bradshaw. Besides, surfing Mavericks was a challenge, regardless of wave height. Mavericks is infamous for their “mean” waves, and they’re not just referring to the sharks. The waves displace water fast and hard. “They say if you fall in those waves,” Trent Freitas told The New York Times, “The intensity of it will rip your wet suit off and turn it inside out.” Thus, the wave that claimed Foo’s life on December 23rd around 11:20 am was not reported to be particularly big, with estimates ranging as low as 15 feet to as high as 30. In filmed footage, he can be seen in the water under a gorgeous blue and sunny sky right before he catches his second wave for the day. Nothing initially looked off as Foo’s bright yellow board dropped in and hopped to his feet. But as he came down the wall, his arms flew up. It seemed like he may have secured his balance for a moment, but then he came off, belly-flopping into the water. That’s the last he was seen alive. His body wouldn’t be found until 90 minutes later. What Caused Mark Foo’s Death? Blame and theories have followed since the death of Mark Foo. For starters, nobody noticed his absence for about an hour until part of his board was spotted near the line-up. However, times were different; jet ski rescue crews were yet to be introduced, and it was crowded. Nor would it have occurred to him or any surfer back then to strap on a floatation vest, now typical attire at Mavericks. Some speculated he hit his head. But while the coroner’s report doesn’t dispute the head trauma, it suggested Foo may have drowned before his head was hit. Others blame his death on exhaustion from taking the red eye. But the most popular theory suggests that his leash became tangled in the rocks. It was still attached to him and the tail fragment of his board when his body was found. What can’t be disputed is the impact Foo’s death had on the community. Over 700 people gathered at Foo’s beloved surfing spot in Waimea Bay, Hawaii, on December 30th. Around 150 surfers paddled out, and his ashes were given to the sea by Dennis Pang, a childhood friend. The Death Of Andy Irons Andy Irons was one of Kelly Slater’s greatest rivals. But his life was tragically cut short. We’ll look at his remarkable career and the circumstances that led to his early death. Fame Took Time To Find Andy Irons “He gave me such a gift,” Kelly Slater said of Andy Irons in an outtake of “Kissed By God. “He drew that desire out of me to be great again,” he reflected. “Andy revived some demon inside of me that needed to figure himself out.” But Andy Irons didn’t initially catch much notice by the surfing elite. He grew up hitting the waves with his younger brother Bruce in Hanalei Bay on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. His future in surfing didn’t look that promising, given he quit for a year after … Read more