Dogs? Surfing? Yes, this amazing concept is sweeping the nation and getting pooches of all sizes hanging ten!
Billy Ricioppo, a contractor and dog lover from Temecula, Calif. received a Christmas gift last year he knew he couldn’t refuse. Dog Surfing lessons at the Loews Coronado Bay Resort and Spa in San Diego, Calif., was just what his Labrador Bristol needed. “I didn’t even know stuff like that existed,” he says. “She was actually paddling back to the board and climbing back on, smiling and panting!”
Surfing isn’t just for people anymore – canines are now making their mark on this popular water sport. And why not? “Dogs enjoy being in the water, number one,” says Teevan McManus, a canine surfing instructor for the Loews Coronado Bay. McManus, whose own nine-year-old German Shorthair Pointer follows him in the water constantly, uses a reward system to get pups to sit on the board and then walks them out to waist deep water and voila! Time to surf!
Canine surf lessons, offered exclusively through the Loews Coronado Bay, are part of a package available through the “Loews Love Pets” program. The surfing package that Bristol and his owner enjoyed at Coronado’s Dog Beach includes a one night stay at the resort, surfing lessons for pet and owner through the Coronado Surfing Academy, and a choice of doggie board shorts or a special bandana. Participants also receive “A Dog’s Guide to Surfing,” a book on how to hang ten with man’s best friend. And that’s not all; all of the “Loews Love Pets” programs offer amenities like a surf and turf room service meal for dogs – a beef tenderloin and salmon main course.
The Loews Coronado Bay Resort and Spa, 4000 Coronado Bay Road Coronado, CA 92118, even hosts an annual Surf Dog competition. This event is unique, and the proceeds go to charity! This year’s Loews Coronado Bay 8th Surf Dog Competition is unleashing the fun with new friends from Unleashed by Petco. Whether catching a wave with a furry friend or seeking fun on the beach with friends and family, this year’s attendees can expect a fun-filled day at the “2013 Loews Surf Dog Competition- Unleashed by Petco.” The competition will be held on June 22, 2013 on Imperial Beach, adjacent to the pier and is expected to draw up to 40 surf dogs and thousands of spectators from across the U.S. If you want to attend the event at the Loews Coronado VIP Beach Viewing while lounging on a chair on the front row, tickets are $75 per adult and 100 percent of the ticket price will go directly to the ASPCA. Otherwise attendance is free and open to the public. . Out-of-town guests can take advantage of a special $189 guestroom rate at the pet-friendly Loews Coronado Bay Resort, based on availability. For more information, please visit loewshotels.com/coronadobay.
The rules are simple. Each competitor will have 10 minutes to catch her or his top two waves. Scores are given on length of ride, confidence level, and the overall ability of the surfing pooch “grip it and rip it!” The cost to enter the competition is $50 for singles and $55 for teams.
Stay in the loop with this year’s contest on Facebook at http://facebook.com/LoewsSurfDog
The winner of the Ultimate Champion Round will win an Unleashed by Petco prize package and a VIP Pup two-night stay at the Loews Coronado Bay Resort luxury accommodations, as well as endless bragging rights!
May the best surfing dog win!
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