HONOLULU (KHON2) — Get ready for some tail-wagging fun!
The Raising Cane's "Going to the Dogs" SurFUR Competition, Hawaii's only pet surfing event, is set to take place on August 20 at 8:30 a.m. at Kuhio Beach's Baby Queens Surf Break.
This unique competition is part of Duke’s OceanFest, an annual watersports festival celebrating the legacy of Duke Kahanamoku, the father of modern surfing.
Duke’s OceanFest, a weeklong event in Waikiki, has embraced this pet surfing competition as a fitting tribute to Duke Kahanamoku’s tradition of surfing with his family’s dogs.
“Duke Kahanamoku and his family surfed with their dogs in Waikiki, so adding a dog surfing competition aligns perfectly with the festival’s spirit,” said event organizer Kelli Bullock Hergert.
Local surf enthusiasts like Stephanie Massey are excited to participate.
Massey, who started surfing with her dog Koa in the summer of 2023, said, “Koa loves to be out on the water. He quickly adapted to the board and now enjoys catching waves just as much as I do.”
Massey described how Koa, a Yorkie initially faced some challenges with the waves but soon learned to ‘hang paw’ at the front of the board.
Patrick Staiger, another competitor, has been surfing with his dog Gnarly, a Catahoula mix, for about six months.
Despite some setbacks due to injuries and Gnarly's growth from 45 to nearly 90 pounds, Patrick is looking forward to the event.
“We just want to have fun, catch some waves, and entertain everyone watching,” he said.
Patrick and Gnarly, who attended the event last year as spectators, are eager to join the competition this time around.
With 25 tandem teams and several solo surfers registered, the event promises to be a highlight of Duke’s OceanFest.
For more information about the event, visit their website.
