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World dog surfing competition: See dogs ride waves in Pacifica

Two dogs on surfboards ride waves in the ocean, wearing life vests. One has sunglasses, and there's a person with a hat in the background. The scene is lively.
Derby the dog rides a wave at the World Dog Surfing Championships in Pacifica on Saturday. | Source: Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard
By Camille Cohen and Jennifer Wadsworth

Four-legged surfers decked out in sunglasses, lifejackets and colorful hairdos descended on Pacifica Saturday to ride the waves in an international competition that raises money for animal charities.

Hundreds of spectators showed up for the annual World Dog Surfing Competition about 20 minutes south of San Francisco, where canines competed in categories scored for confidence, style and how long they could stay on the board.

A person with a blue mohawk and yellow sunglasses is wearing a pink tie-dye hoodie and is playfully interacting with two dogs, dressed similarly, with blue mohawks.
Kentucky Gallahue poses with Waffles, left, and Derby, right, for a photo at the World Dog Surfing Championships in Pacifica on Saturday. | Source: Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard
A dog with blue-tinted fur and sunglasses rides a surfboard, while a person in a wetsuit assists from behind. They are surrounded by ocean waves.
Perennial competitors Kentucky Gallahue and his canine ward Derby sported matching blue 'dos. | Source: Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard
The image shows two surfboards featuring stickers of a happy, fluffy dog named Carson, surrounded by lightning bolts and dog bones. Text mentions Long Beach, California.
Surfboards decked out with a sticker of one of the surf dogs, Carson, who hails from Long Beach, California. | Source: Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard
A woman in a pink top takes a selfie with a small, fluffy dog wearing a bright yellow flower collar. They're outdoors, and her phone is in the foreground.
Jillian Nicole Smith takes a photo with Carson, one of scores of surf dogs who turned out for the yearly event. | Source: Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard
A dog wearing sunglasses and a life jacket splashes in the water at a beach event, surrounded by people in wetsuits and casual clothes taking pictures.
A smiling Derby returns to the lineup after riding a wave. | Source: Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard
A fluffy dog in sunglasses and a red cap wears a "Lifeguard" bandana and a whistle. It's sitting outdoors with people and chairs in the background.
Waffles showed up dressed for lifeguard duty. | Source: Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard
A small dog in a wetsuit sits on a surfboard, surrounded by photographers and onlookers at a sandy beach event. Another dog in a pink outfit sits nearby.
Competitors pose for a group photo between heats. | Source: Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard
A man carries a wet dog wearing teal goggles and a bodysuit on his shoulder at the beach. People are in the background, some watching or taking photos.
James Wall steps ashore with his surf dog Faith. | Source: Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard

Jennifer Wadsworth can be reached at jennifer@sfstandard.com

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CulturePacificaSurfing