There are some very cool canines stoked to hang eight on Easter Sunday at Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach. It’s the 13th annual East Coast Dog Surfing Festival, when pups near and far battle to be crowned top dog.
Orchestrated by the Brevard Humane Society and supported by Ron Jon Surf Shop, the East Coast Dog Surfing Festival features pawthletes riding the waves.
Reigning champ and Florida fave, Sammie the chiweenie returns to defend his title. However, he faces tough competition, particularly from Tik Tok sensation Gnarly Charley, golden retriever and Jersey boy who is traveling all the way from the Garden State for the festival. Sammie is not a big guy, but in this event, heart matters more than size.
“He is little but he is mighty,” said Humane Society executive director Theresa Clifton.
Also making a return appearance is Marley the Corgi, winner of the Good Sport award last year. Think of the kudos as a “Miss Congeniality” for surfing canines. Marley certainly deserved it, because he proved a true gent at the beach and on the waves, with nary a growl.
Close to a dozen dogs have already been registered to compete, including canine influencer Willi Good Dog, who has been said prefers surfing backwards.
If you are a dog parent eager to teach your fur baby to ride surf, you should have already registered for the dog surfing lessons. If you didn’t, you are out of luck, as the lessons are already sold out. But it doesn’t cost anything to “audit” the class taught by John Gall, owner of Surf Pig, who won the festival not once but three times before kidney cancer claimed the doggy athlete’s life.
Quite possibly the Space Coast’s quirkiest event, the East Coast Dog Surfing Festival is also more than surfing. There’s the dog bikini contest, for example. The competition is not gender specific and last year’s contestants included a boy dog sporting an itsy, bitsy, teenie Speedo.
“It’s an interesting competition just by itself,” Clifton said.
During the Doggy Easter Costume Contest, well-attired dogs can strut their best Easter bonnets.
The event starts at 9 a.m. with a Bunny Paddle Out for humans and dogs. Free bunny ears will be handed out to the first 50 surfers of both species. The Doggy Easter Outfit Contest is at 10 a.m. The dog surfing championship begins at noon and ends at 1 p.m., followed by the Doggy Biking Contest at 1 p.m. The festival runs until 4 p.m.
The festival features more than $500 in contest prizes, plus food trucks, vendors and live music from Nowhere to Rum.
Dogs are not usually permitted at Lori Wilson Park, but for this event, which raises critical funds for the homeless animals cared for by the Brevard Humane Society, the rules are being relaxed. Canines are allowed on the beach during that time period, as long as owners have proof of current vaccinations, the dogs are leashed and owners pay the $5 dog beach access. Parking is $10, cash only.
If you want to get a head start, the fun starts early with pre-party “Wags & Waves” from 4 to 7 p.m., Saturday, April 19, at Cocoa Beach Fish Camp Grill, 5602 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach. Enjoy a silent auction, food and drink, a 50/50 raffle and a chance for photo ops with the furry surfers before the big event.
“It’s a fantastic way to celebrate Easter with your family, furry friends included, all while supporting a great cause,” said Clifton.
Dogs, those ultimate party animals, will make sure a good time is had by all.
For more details, visit brevardhumanesociety.org.
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