Galveston Island Humane Society Hosts Surf Dog Competition

GALVESTON, TX -- Pups and their peeps will be making waves and hanging four this weekend at the 6th Annual Ohana Surf Dog event on Galveston Island.

The Galveston Island Humane Society, Ohana Surf and Skate Shop, and Austin-based Tito’s Handmade Vodka have tag-teamed for the event, which kicks off Saturday with at 8 a.m., at 27th and Seawall Blvd.

“A few years ago, one of my employees who was a surfer, and friend’s with William "Boog" Cram who owns Ohana Surf and Skate shop, came up with the idea of doing something that’s a fundraiser and getting the families and their dogs out,” said Caroline Pate, executive director for the Galveston Island Humane Society.

Only about 10 dogs showed up with their owners that first year in 2012, but it has grown to be a favorite on Galveston Bay.

That first fundraiser only brought in about $200, Pate said.

Last year, Tito's Handmade Vodka came on-board after the Galveston Island Humane Society asked them to sponsor the event.

"I had never witnessed anything like that," said Beth Bellanti, Tito's Dog People's Program Manager. "It was just an incredible thing to see these dogs so happy. It's a great spectacle to witness."

It's also a great adoption event for the Galveston Island Humane Society, which will have some adoptable dogs out for the Surf Dog event.

Of course, it's not a "bonafide" event until the celebrities show up, and that's what happened in 2017.

Last year, Gidget, the surfing Pug from California, made an appearance and became the first official celebrity to come to the event.

While dogs, in general, aren’t known for taking to surfing, except maybe Gidget, there are many that take to it and with the help of human friends, love catching those waves.

Volunteers were out on Friday morning offering a combination of surfing lessons and a dog water safety briefing, to make sure the dogs are comfortable in the water.

“Most dogs take right to it,” Pate said

All of the dogs wear life jackets and are taken out in the water a surfboard with their owners who stand by as the dogs ride the waves to the sandy beach.

If the owners won't go in the water, there are spotters that are standing by to help with the pooches, Pate said.

The event runs until noon and there's a $25 entry for each dog.

To learn more or to register, click the link.

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Image: Galveston Island Humane Society

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