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12h ago

Rippin' Rosie Tops 10th World Dog Surfing Championships as Rough Surf Ends Final Heats

Organizers canceled late heats for safety, showing the sport's growth has increased crowd, media and public-safety pressures.

Trophies for the tandem dog competition shine in the sun at the World Dog Surfing Championships at Linda Mar Beach, Pacifica, Calif., on Aug. 1, 2026.
Early arrivals stake out their spots before thousands descend on the World Dog Surfing Championships at Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica, Calif., on Aug. 1, 2026.
Rusty Sadlowski, a miniature pinscher, poses atop his surfboard after competing in the small division at the World Dog Surfing Championships at Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica, Calif., on Aug. 1, 2026.
Charlie Nieboer drags his surfboard across Linda Mar Beach after surfing at the World Dog Surfing Championships in Pacifica, Calif., on Aug. 1, 2026, a familiar ritual for the veteran competitor, who was known for hauling his own board back to the water.

Overview

  • The 10th World Dog Surfing Championships drew several thousand spectators to Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica on Saturday, Aug. 1, and generated heavy traffic that nearly overwhelmed the small town.
  • Judges scored dogs on ride length, wave size, confidence, balance and tricks and declared winners in small, medium, large, tandem and stand-up paddleboard categories.
  • Rippin' Rosie, a Yellow Labrador handled by Steve Drottar, won the large/extra-large division, the stand-up paddleboard and the overall 'Spirit of Dog Surfing' award after multiple strong rides.
  • Rough, choppy surf forced organizers to cancel several later heats and forgo the planned final surf-off to protect smaller dogs, a decision handlers and lifeguards said prioritized safety over finishing the bracket.
  • The event combined competition with dozens of vendor booths, adoption drives and fundraising for local animal groups and highlighted how training, media interest and licensing have turned dog surfing into an organized circuit.