Surfing Dog to Be Inducted Into Hall of Fame

On Sept. 11, the first surfing dog will be inducted into the Surf Dog Hall of Fame which will take place at the Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon, the world’s largest dog surfing event. Buddy, a 14-year-old Jack Russell terrier, who has been surfing with his owner, Bruce Hooker, off the coast of Ventura County, Calif., for the past 10 years is the lucky recipient of the honor of first inductee. He is being given the honor in part because he won the first 4 Surf-A-Thon’s hosted by Helen Woodward Animal Center. Through the years he has been a fantastic ambassador for dogs and has been the face of surf dogs around the world.

This year marks the sixth year of the tournament and, in that time, the number of participating dogs has gone from 10 to 80, and that credit goes to Buddy. The honor though will be bitter sweet for Buddy and his owner as this will be the last surfing competition Buddy will be entered in. He is 14 years old now and still loves to surf but his owner says his age is catching up to him and so for his health will be kept out of future competitions. His owner who never set out to have a famous surf dog will not be running out to find a new surf dog. Buddy currently lives with another Jack Russell terrier — a girl. She has no interest in surfing which is just fine according to Buddy’s owner it was never about winning for him but going out with his dog and doing somethign they both enjoyed together.