Surf's up, dawg! Tillman the world-famous skateboarding English bulldog rides to victory in canine SURFING contest


Tillman the English bulldog has proven once and for all that he knows his way not only around a skateboard, but also around a surfboard.

The 60-pound celebrity canine that has made a name for himself as the world’s top four-legged skateboarder entered the eighth annual Lowes Surf Dog Competition-Unleashed by Petco, which was held in San Diego, California, Saturday.

Although it was Tillman’s first time catching waves, the multi-talented pooch did not disappoint his fans, taking first place in the large dog category.

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Top dog: Tillman the celebrity English bulldog took home the top prize in the large dog category at the eighth annual Lowes Surf Dog Competition-Unleashed by Petco

Top dog: Tillman the celebrity English bulldog took home the top prize in the large dog category at the eighth annual Lowes Surf Dog Competition-Unleashed by Petco

Tillman
Tillman

High roller: Tillman the dog, rose to Internet fame in 2007 when a video was posted on YouTube showing the pooch rolling on a skateboard on Venice Beach, California

 

The contest was held in Imperial Beach, drawing 43 four-legged competitors and thousands of spectators who came to root for the pooches brave enough to venture into the choppy waters and brave waves measuring 3-4 feet in height for a good cause.

The event benefitted the ASPCA, raising thousands of dollars for the prevention of cruelty to animals. For the first time ever, The Humane Society of San Diego hosted a mobile adoption during the surf contest and was able to find good homes for several pups.

The star of the event, Tillman the dog, rose to Internet fame in 2007 when a video was posted on YouTube showing the pooch rolling on a skateboard on Venice Beach, California. The clip has since drawn more than 20 million views.

Daredevils dogs: The surfing pooches  braved waves measuring 3-4 feet in height off Imperial Beach in San Diego

Daredevils dogs: The surfing pooches braved waves measuring 3-4 feet in height off Imperial Beach in San Diego

Dog
Dog

Real pros: Each four-legged competitor had 10 minutes to catch his or her top two waves

Wet and wild: The contest drew 43 four-legged competitors and thousands of spectators

Wet and wild: The contest drew 43 four-legged competitors and thousands of spectators

Two of a kind: Hanzo the boxer and Kalani the golden retriever won first place in tandem surfing

Two of a kind: Hanzo the boxer and Kalani the golden retriever won first place in tandem surfing

The daredevil pooch has become a true celebrity, starring in his the Tv show ‘Who Let The Dogs Out’ on Hallmark Channel, taking part in several commercials and even scoring an endorsement deal from Natural Balance Pet Food.

Like any star, the eight-year-old California native now has his own blog, Facebook page and Twitter feed.

Tillman was named after Pat Tillman, a former NFL professional football player and U.S. Army Ranger. He started skateboarding when he was only 10 weeks old after watching a skateboarding Rottweiler named Stoli, also owned by Ron Davis.

At 9 months old, Tillman was on all fours skating. Over the years, the pup prodigy also has tried his paw at snowboarding and skimboarding.

Undefeated champ: Abbie Girl the Australian kelpie surfed to victory for the fourth year in a row in the small dog category

Undefeated champ: Abbie Girl the Australian kelpie surfed to victory for the fourth year in a row in the small dog category

Good cause: The event benefitted the ASPCA, raising thousands of dollars for the prevention of cruelty to animals

Good cause: The event benefitted the ASPCA, raising thousands of dollars for the prevention of cruelty to animals


At 11am Saturday, the iconic pooch joined more than 40 of his four-legged brethren in the waters off Imperial Beach for the surfing contest. Each competitor had 10 minutes to catch his or her top two waves, and was scored on confidence level, length of ride and overall ability to ‘grip it and rip it.’

In addition to endless bragging rights, Tillman and other winners of the contest took home a ‘VIP Pup’ two-night stay in luxury accommodations at Loews Coronado Bay Hotel and an Unleashed by Petco prize package.

In the small dog category, an Australian kelpie nicknamed Abbie Girl surfed to victory, defeating Toby the shi-tsu mix and Ricochet the Golden retriever, who came in second and third, respectively.