Surfing dogs: Pups hit the waves for surfing competition in Australia

Is it a boat? Is it a plane? No, it’s a surfing dog. Yes, that’s right! This little doggy took to the waves during the world’s biggest surf festival in Australia. And he’s not the only one, as pups join their owners on the surfboards during the Dog Spectacular event, as part of the Noosa Festival of Surfing.

“It’s something very different. Two years ago when I first did it, I was just thinking wow, this is something different, the amount of the people on the beach. I’ve never seen that many people in my life, and having to share that with a group of mates, sharing that experience with our hounds, that’s awesome! He loves it. He would not do it otherwise, like I don’t know him from a bar of soap and all I’ve got to do is pat that deck of the board, and he’s on there.”

The surfing dogs are judged along with their master riders on commitment, length of ride and style. Around 500 riders from 13 nations including pro surfers and amateurs, hit Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, competing with canines and champions, but sadly, no cats.

Difficult words: pup (young dog), mate (friend), hound (dog), know from a bar of soap (to know; the dog loves to surf so much he would surf with anyone), pat (to touch), canine (dog).