World Dog Surfing Championships
Old and New Four Legged Champs return
On Saturday August 1, 2026, the World Dog Surfing Championships return to Linda Mar State Beach in Pacifica marketing the event's 10th anniversary, and we are counting down the days. Visitors from all over the world come to enjoy our four-legged friends surf and compete.
If you haven't been, here's the short version: dogs surf, humans cheer, and a beach that normally sees a steady stream of local wave-riders turns into one of the more distinctive tourism draws on the Northern California coast for a day. Admission is free, and the crowd shows up regardless.
The Basics
- Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026
- Location: Linda Mar Beach, also known as Pacifica State Beach
- Time: Competition runs roughly 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with exhibition heats starting around 10 a.m. and awards presented between 1 and 2 p.m.
- Cost: Free and open to the public, no tickets required
The Surf Dog Village opens alongside the competition, with vendor tents, a dog beach fashion contest, adoption booths from groups like Rocket Dog Rescue and the Peninsula Humane Society, and a pet wellness fair. It's part sporting event, part community fundraiser, and it draws a crowd that skews well beyond hardcore surf fans.
How the Heats Work
The surfing competition is organized by weight class, so dogs compete against similarly sized peers rather than one free-for-all:
- Small, medium, large, and extra-large divisions, each surfing solo
- Tandem heats, where two dogs share a board
- Human-tandem heats, where a dog rides with its owner
Judges score on ride length, technique, attitude, and how well the dog reads the wave, all within a timed heat. First, second, and third place get awarded in each weight class, and the top two dogs from each division then move on to compete for the overall Top Dog title, officially the Top All-Around Surfing Championship. There's also a fetch contest and the fashion show if the surfing alone isn't enough of a draw.
Be sure to arrive early as parking fills up quickly and can be a challenge. We look forward to seeing you on the beach!
