California pooches practice for dog surfing competition

(Reuters) - Dogs in California are practicing their wave-riding techniques ahead of the annual Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon, as pooches and their owners try out soft surfboards, specialized flotation devices, and ocean safety guidelines ahead of the Sept. 8 event.

The annual contest is held in Del Mar, just north of San Diego, and hosted by the Helen Woodward Animal Center, a San Diego-area animal shelter whose motto is "people help animals and animals help people."

Surf dog instructor Scott Owens, whose two Dalmatians, Bentley and Bailey, typically hang loose with him on the water, said sharing the waves with his dogs regularly draws a crowd.

"Sometimes they do certain moves, from either going backward or spinning to actually just laying down and taking the waves tight. They just seemed to know when the right time to buckle down and just catch that right wave," Owens said.

The dog surfing contest was started by the Helen Woodward Animal Center 18 years ago to raise money for pets and animal programs.

The Surf-A-Thon will be held at Del Mar's Dog Beach, a rare beach where dogs are allowed.

Monday was National Dog Day in the United States, as established by animal rescue advocate Colleen Page.

(Reporting by Jorge Garcia; Writing by Daniel Trotta; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)

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