Some dogs spend their Saturdays chasing tennis balls.
Others apparently have heats, judges and a preferred surf break.
On Saturday, August 1, the World Dog Surfing Championships will return to Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica, California, bringing professional wave riders, enthusiastic amateurs and some exceptionally confident life jackets to the Northern California coast.
The event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and takes place near the stretch of coastline where organizers say competitive dog surfing first began. Dogs will compete in divisions based on weight, alongside tandem categories featuring two dogs—or one dog and their human—sharing the same board.
And this is not simply a matter of staying upright long enough for a good photo.
Judges score each ride based on its length, the strength of the wave, technique, confidence and overall style. Tricks can earn bonus points, although looking completely unbothered while riding toward shore should probably count for something too.
Each competitor gets 10 minutes to catch as many waves as possible. Canine life jackets or vests are required, and dogs must remain on leash whenever they are not actively competing in the water. For safety, they are not attached to their boards during a ride.
@thesfpeninsula Guess what’s COMING BACK to Pacifica?? 🐶🌊 Watch dogs hang two paws at the World Dog Surfing Championships, returning to Linda Mar Beach fo... See more
When to catch the action
The smallest surfers will hit the water first, with the small-dog heats beginning at 9:20 a.m.
Medium dogs follow at 10:02 a.m., before the large and extra-large competitors take over beginning at 10:23 a.m. The stand-up paddleboard category starts at 11:05 a.m.
After a short break, the tandem portion begins at 11:47 a.m. with dogs sharing a board with other dogs. Human-and-dog teams follow at 12:08 p.m. and 12:29 p.m.
The top competitors return for the final surf-off at 12:50 p.m., with awards expected afterward. Organizers note that the schedule remains subject to change.
Away from the water, visitors can explore the Surf Dog Village, stop by a pet wellness fair and meet adoptable animals through Rocket Dog Rescue and the Peninsula Humane Society. There will also be a beach fashion and costume contest for dogs whose athletic ambitions lean more toward resort wear.
For anyone unable to make it to Pacifica, the championship will receive its own television moment a few days later. A 2026 World Dog Surfing Championships Best Waves special is scheduled to air on ESPN2 on Thursday, August 6, at 10:30 p.m. ET, as part of ESPN8: The Ocho.
We’ll be watching for the winners, the standout rides and, naturally, the dog who treats an incoming wave like it personally challenged them.
Because summer may belong to the beach, but this Saturday, the waves belong to the dogs.
Sources: World Dog Surfing Championships event details and schedule, official competition rules, official 2026 heat schedule and ESPN’s 2026 ESPN8: The Ocho schedule.
