For Immediate Release      For More Information:

August 4, 2009       John Van Zante

                                                858-756-4117 x 335 

“Sandy Claws is Comin’ to Town” for Surf Dog this Saturday! 

Del Mar, CA – “On-the-Board Training” for dogs (and people) planning to take part in the annual “Surf Dog Surf A Thon” benefiting Helen Woodward Animal Center begins this Saturday, August 8. More Surf Dog clinics will be held Sunday, August 16, and Saturday, August 22 at 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM to prepare for the fourth annual, “Surf Dog Surf A Thon” on Sunday, September 13 in Del Mar.  

“When Helen Woodward Animal Center held the world’s first Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon in 2006 we had a few dozen surfing dogs and 50 – 60 human surfers. Today it’s the world’s largest dog surfing event,” says HWAC Big Kahuna John Van Zante. “This year we’ll limit entry to 120 dogs and we’re expecting 150 human surfers.” 

HWAC Sponsorship Wahini Nedra Abramson says, “Dog surfin’s kinda wild, it’s getting bigger every day…and that’s great news for Helen Woodward Animal Center. Major pet and surf product manufacturers including Royal Canin, GT Surf Boards, American Dog Magazine, and Iams are catching the wave of Surf Dog success. Proceeds support the services that HWAC provides for animals and people in-need.”

 
Surf Dog 2009 on September 13 will be feature the first, “Doo the Dah for the Dogs” contest. Individual and team surfers of up to 10 people will surf in two 20-minute heats while wearing theme costumes. Judges including world champion tandem surfer Guy Takayama and members of Swami’s Surfing Association will pick the top three individual or team costumes as well as the best themed team ride. 

“Sand Crabs” and their dogs can enter the, “Beach Bum and Bikini Babe Canine Costume Contest.” Dogs will strut their stuff on the, “catwalk” as celebrity judges pick the best costumes. (The 2008 contest is featured on, “Bridget’s Sexiest Beaches” airing worldwide on, “The Travel Channel.”) 

Register now for the Doggie Surf Clinics on Saturday, August 8, Sunday, August 16, and Saturday, August 22 at 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM. Each one-hour clinic is limited to 25 dogs per session. Cost is $45 per dog. No more than one dog per human. Pat Webber and San Diego Surfing Academy will join pro surfer and board designer Guy Takayma and San Diego Pet Training owner Rob Kuty to teach dogs and owners to surf safely.   

For more information visit Helen Woodward Animal Center at 6461 El Apajo Road in Rancho Santa Fe or call 858-756-4117 x339.