Surfing with your dog

Cani-paddleboarding, cani-canoeing, canyoning with your dog… I've already introduced you to all these dog-friendly activities. But when it comes to water sports, there was one missing! And that's surfing! Yes, surfing with a dog is possible 😀 Riding a wave with your dog is possible.

I interviewed Al and Bastien, the French and European dog-surfing champions who regularly ride the waves in the beautiful seaside town of Biarritz on the Basque coast . They tell us all about their favorite sport! Let's explore the Basque Country with our duo and some dog-surfing competitions.

Like any good master who respects himself, Bastien has not overlooked the education of his dog. Training club and positive education with Gruyère cheese, socialization… Al very quickly became a doggy who feels good in his paws. Al had a good life but lately, with old age, his eyesight has been very bad. But don't worry about him, Al still has his unparalleled flair for feeling THE wave 😀

I've been surfing for a long time, but I started out with stand-up paddleboarding with my dog . Since the board is bigger, it's much more practical and stable. Then I was lucky enough to meet a great surf brand that made me a surfboard specifically for dogs so I could use it with Al without any problems. It has a non-slip coating and is square at the end, not pointed, so Al can grip it when starting out. So, I was off to start this water sport with my dog!

He must understand how you get on it, that you can sit or lie on it, he must be comfortable with this new object.

Once these first steps are successful, you can put the board in the water in very calm seas. Ready for the launch? Climb your dog on it and glide it around calmly. Once he is comfortable, join him on it and continue to sail quietly. After a few sessions, you can try tiny little waves, in the foam for example.

Musher and Sophie: It's crucial that these first steps are fully validated by your dog: if he's not interested, if he's not paying attention, if he's scared… Don't insist, you risk turning him off the activity and goodbye to the dream of surfing WITH your dog . You're a team, you have to respect your teammate. We all have our good days and bad days… Take it one step at a time and enjoy each one. Encourage your dog. You're sharing a special moment with your dog: enjoy it; have fun. If he senses that it makes you happy, he'll be even more attentive to what you ask of him.

I strongly advise having some surfing experience before attempting this with your dog . There's no point in trying if you're a beginner yourself. You'll just keep falling and scaring your dog. He won't enjoy falling and swallowing water either. No need to put him off from the start. I recommend starting in small waves and perhaps even on a stand-up paddleboard with your dog to begin with 🙂

Musher and Sophie: “I completely agree with Bastien, start with paddleboarding. The board is bigger, which will allow your dog to get used to this awesome sport. I talk about it in the article: Stand-up paddleboarding with your dog – cani-paddle, the sport of the summer .”

When we go surfing with my dog, he 's right at the front of the board. When I see the wave coming, I shout "Al, front, front!!" and he immediately understands that it's time to ride! If he falls, he goes back to the beach and waits calmly for me.

Musher and Sophie: “ When we're paddleboarding, if Musher falls, she immediately comes back to me and asks me to get back on the board so she doesn't get hit by the next waves… She really doesn't like it and makes that very clear. Be careful, when you fall, you have to be extremely vigilant with the board. You have to be able to prevent it from hitting your dog, or from going over him and him ending up underneath, underwater… When paddleboarding, you also have to avoid hitting him in the head with the paddle. These are two magical sports to share with your dog, but when there are two of you on the board, you have to look out for your teammate.”

For me, my surfboard, a paddle sometimes and the leash to hang on the foot.

Al has his dog life jacket, it's really very useful! It will allow your dog to get less tired while swimming and to float easily if he falls off the board. It's also much easier to pull him onto the board thanks to the harness handles. I also always bring dog waste bags just in case, to keep the beach clean 🙂

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I come from Biarritz with my dog ​​to the Landes region . It's the perfect place for surfing, but unfortunately, many beaches don't allow dogs. That's why I often go surfing in the evening (no one's ever said anything to me). Dogs are now banned from all the beaches in Biarritz, which is a real shame. Otherwise, during the day I go to Le Pavillon Royal beach. You have to walk past a campsite, and then you reach the beach via a path. I go there all the time.

Nothing scares him! It is small but very sporty and resistant as a breed. He dives into the big waves, he swims… A real fish in the water, tireless! As soon as I put on my wetsuit and take out the board, he's like crazy because he knows it's time to go surfing 😀  

For my part, it is a real happiness what I share with him. It's a new challenge every time. We always learn more new tricks, we take turns… We never go straight! :))

People often come to see us, Al is a real star in Biarritz, especially since we are the French and European champions of dog surfing! He's kind of Biarritz's mascot now 😀

I don't think snub-nosed dogs are made for water, although I've seen a bulldog that surfed really well! With a small dog of course it's much easier, the bigger the dog the more difficult it is.

Musher and I hope this article has inspired you to try surfing with your dog! For beginners, take Al and Bastien's advice to heart; don't jump into this adventure without a solid understanding of the sport. If you want to learn more about this Woof-tastic duo, head over to their Instagram account: @aldogsurfeur

READ ALSO : Canoeing with your dog: the must-do of the summer , Stand-up paddleboarding with your dog – cani-paddle, the sport of the summer , Try aquatic hiking with your dog!