World Dog Surfing Championships
In 2017, humpback whales breached offshore during the surfing heats. That same year, BBC News anchor Simon McCoy delivered the story with such visible disinterest that his unenthusiastic presentation went viral, possibly generating more publicity than the event itself. The World Dog Surfing Championships, held annually at Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica, is the kind of competition that sounds like satire until you watch a chocolate Labrador from Brazil ride a wave with more composure than most human beginners can manage.
Five Dogs and a Rescued Kelpie
The first World Dog Surfing Championships took place on September 10, 2016, the first event of its kind in Northern California. Only five dogs competed in two weight classes. The overall champion was Abbie Girl, an Australian Kelpie originally rescued through Humane Society Silicon Valley, who defeated her friend Brandy, a Pug. Abbie returned the following year and won again, beating three dozen entrants. The event grew quickly: 45 contestants in 2018, approximately 50 in 2019. By 2024, when a chocolate Labrador named Cacau traveled from Brazil to win the overall title in unusually rough conditions, estimated attendance had reached over 6,000.
Ride Length, Technique, and Attitude
Judging criteria include ride length, technique, and -- critically -- attitude, as well as wave size during a ten-minute heat. Dogs surf with human assistance: a handler selects the wave and positions the dog on the board, but the riding is all canine. Weight classes range from small to large, with tandem dog and tandem dog-and-human categories adding variety. Beyond the surfing, the event includes a fetch contest and a fashion show. Top performers in each weight class advance to compete for the Top All-Around Surfing Championship. The event raises money for animal, surfing, and environmental charities. It is organized by TasteTV and has required crowdfunding campaigns in recent years to cover the city fees that Pacifica charges for beach events.
Cacau, Faith, and the Fog
The championship has produced its own legends. Abbie Girl dominated the early years. Gidget, a Pug, won Top Dog in 2018 while Abbie's owner competed with one foot in a cast. Cherie, a French Bulldog from Newport Beach, took the crown in 2019. After two years of pandemic-related cancellations and livestream alternatives, the in-person event returned in 2022. Cacau, a chocolate Labrador from Brazil, won in 2024 and again in 2025, becoming the first back-to-back champion. Faith, a Pit Bull who competed for years, won the large dogs division at age 14 before retiring. The 2025 event took place on August 2 in chilly, foggy conditions -- typical Pacifica weather, which the dogs seemed to mind far less than the spectators.
From the Air
Located at 37.60°N, 122.50°W at Linda Mar Beach (Pacifica State Beach) in Pacifica. The event takes place annually in early August. San Francisco International (KSFO) is approximately 9 nm east-northeast. The crescent-shaped beach is visible from altitude along Highway 1.