Surfing pups will 'hang four' at the East Coast Dog Surfing Festival in Cocoa Beach
In the annals of local dog surfing lore, Surf Pig is legendary. The Jack Russell terrier could ride a mean wave, even with only three legs.
Surf Pig surfed over the Rainbow Bridge in 2019, but there is another shining star on the canine surfing horizon. Lily the yellow Labrador wowed onlookers at the 2023 East Coast Dog Surfing Festival as she navigated waves rough enough that the surfing part of the all-day dog-friendly event had to be cancelled.
Lily and her human, Michael Vogt, are expected to travel from their home in Jupiter to participate in this year’s event, scheduled for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, March 31, at Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach.
Lily has her task cut out for her: Among the contestants to beat this year is a furry Gidget from the Golden State. Delilah is her name and surfing is the game for this King Charles Spaniel. Can this golden surf girl excel local fave Lily’s impeccable mastery of the waves? You’ll have to attend the 12th annual East Coast Dog Surfing Festival to be among the first to find out.
“We are super excited this year as we will have a dog from California in attendance,” said Theresa Clifton, executive director of the Brevard Humane Society, host of the annual celebration of dogs, surf and beach.
Surfing is only a slice of the fun at the quirky event, which has added a sand sculpting contest for 2024. It is a unique way to celebrate Easter Sunday, beginning with a sunrise service by Calvary Chapel. Human surfers can do a Bunny Paddle at 9 a.m., and if they are among the first 50, they will do so with free bunny ears. For beginner canine surfers, lessons will introduce them to the skill set required to hang four.
When a bunch of dogs gather, a costume contest inevitably is not far behind. A "Best Doggy Easter Outfit" contest is scheduled, and so is a "Best Doggy Bikini" contest. The surfing championship competition begins at noon.
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At 3 p.m., someone will drive out with the Honda HR-V the Brevard Humane Society is raffling off.
Canines are not usually allowed into Lori Wilson Park, but through special access for the event, dogs will have their day on the beach for a $5 donation to the Humane Society. Humans are admitted free. Animals must have proof of current vaccinations. Humans, you don’t have to be up on your shots, although that is always a good idea. Event parking is $10.
To get the paw-ty started early, the Humane Society is also hosting a pre-event from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, at the Cocoa Beach Fish Camp Grill with food, drinks and silent auction.
The surfing festival is a fund and awareness raiser for the 71-year-old Brevard Humane Society, currently challenged by a 62-year-old shelter building suffering from small, cramped spaces with deteriorating pot metal pipes and bad wiring. Tax-deductible contributions can be made at brevardhumanesociety.org. For more information on this project, call 321-636-3343, extension 204.
If you go
East Coast Dog Surfing Festival
Where: Lori Wilson Park, 1500 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach
When: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, March 31
Admission: Free for humans; $5 for dogs. Dog surf lessons are $10. Event parking is $10
Call: 321-636-3343, extension 218
Website: brevardhumanesociety.org
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Hang four: Dogs take to the waves at East Coast Dog Surfing Festival
