Tail Wagging Surf Dog Event, Huntington Beach, California

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Tail Wagging Surf Dog Event in Huntington Beach
Guest Post by Sheila Williams, www.atravelingpug.com

The third annual Huntington Beach Surf City Surf Dog event took place last Sunday at the largest dog-friendly beach in California. Huntington Beach was named the official “DogTown, 2009” by Dog Fancy magazine, touted to be the worlds’ most widely read dog magazine. The magazine researches cities each year after a public nomination period to discover cities that “receive dogs with open arms and provide them with the joys of life,” according to Dog Fancy magazine editor Susan Chaney.

The increasingly popular fund-raising event was conceived and lovingly orchestrated by Book That Event’s canine-loving, Lisa Scolman:

This year’s event saw the return of champion surf dog, Abbie, an Australian Kelpie (top photo), who set a canine record for riding the longest wave. This feat was witnessed by Frederikke (Freddie) Hoff, an official from the Guinness Book of Records flown in from New York City to witness the record achievement (a distance of 60 meters). Ms. Hoff, impeccably attired in a tailored black suit at the beach event, explained that since the newest Guinness record book for 2012, has just been published, there would be a full year in which another surfing canine could possibly beat this achievement.

Phoebe Rose and Guinness Book Official, Freddie Hoff:

Sir Hollywood, a popular surfing Bulldog, strikes an appropriately dignified pose:

A fashionable way to warm up after surfing competition:

Most of the canine spectators preferred to stay dry, like Sophia, striking a “bathing beauty” pose beside her Bulldog Rescue booth, hoping for adoption interest:

Yet another canine tattoo spotted recently. This one belongs to a Bulldog Rescue volunteer:

The “most dogs on a surf board” contest was another attempt at a Guinness Book Record.  Unfortunately the contestants were not able to stay on for the required ten seconds:

The crowds thinned out by the early afternoon after 4 hours of competition:

Winning surfer, Abbie, a local rescue pup, took first place honors in the overall competition and did not appear to be concerned with future competition as she posed for photographers with a star quality that attracted the media and fans.  Abbie’s career is taking off, her human Dad,  Michael Yu just announced: “We were recently featured in the new San Diego tourism TV commercials.”

Abbie and Michael joined many of the canine contestants and their humans staying at the local pet-indulgent, stylish Shorebreak Hotel and participated in the hotel’s kick-off canine fashion show on Friday evening, held and hosted by apparel designer Nichole Smith of  “Dog is Good.”

A Saturday afternoon costume contest was held in front of the Shorebreak Hotel.  Who can resist a Bulldog in a tutu?

Last minute adjustments to this “Dorothy” costume:

Saturday festivities included a “Doga” class (yoga stretches for dogs and humans) taught by Brenda Bryan of Barking Buddha Doga:

Phoebe has a reason for her big smile.  Life is good at the Shorebreak-canine guests relax on complimentary pet beds and can order room service from a “Mans’ Best Friend” Pet Menu featuring 5 healthy entrees:

Shorebreak Hotel General  Manager, Marco  Perry (a true dog lover), participated in the “Dog is Good” Fashion Show (modeling hoodie) and accompanied by his furry “best friend”. Surfing “coaches” and event volunteers wore the colorful and stylish hoodies and t-shirts sporting inspiring doggie slogans on the runway and the beach.

Photos courtesy Sheila Williams