SO CAL SURF DOGS

Chapter 10

Wipeouts

Yes, you and/or your Surf Dog are going to wipeout!
The Ocean and the Surf are very unpredictable forces.
No two days are the same. No two waves are the same.
At some point, your Surf Dog will get washed off, knocked off or will jump off the surfboard.
They may even get washed off on the way out before you even get your first wave.
This is all a part of Surfing!!!
If you can’t handle this, you have no business out in the surf!
Really! (Time to enter the costume contest)
Most dogs are excellent swimmers!
If they aren’t, go practice in a pool, lake or bay until they become proficient swimmers!
You too! You'll be swimming too!
Never go out into the surf without first putting on their CFD (Canine Flotation Device)!
The CFD will give them additional floatation and they will pop up quickly with nothing more than a very surprised look on their face.
You need to get to them quickly and help them back up onto the board.
This is all part of the building of Trust, that is very, very important!
They need to know you'll be there for them.
Be sure that the surfboard is facing in or out before you try to get them back on. Remember back in Chapter 6 we discussed how to get your Surf Dog back up onto the surfboard.
If you forgot or haven’t read that chapter, do it now. [Chapter 6]
I Know I’m repeating this a lot, but, lather on the praise and positive encouragement.
This is suppose to be fun and you want them to feel safe and secure.

Do not go out into surf when it is bigger than what you’re comfortable with or experienced enough to handle.
Look for the rip tides and stay away. (Swim parrallel to the beach if you get gaught in a rip tide)
Watch for signs your Surf Dog has had enough and go in!
There will always be another day to try again.
Don’t push it! Have Fun! Be Safe!

Very, Very Important!
If it's clear your Dog does not like the water or is afraid of the surfboard, Please, Please do not force them!
There are so many other activities you can do together with your dog.
However, if they love the water and jump up onto the surfboard on their own, there's nothing like watching them surf!

Have Fun and be Safe!
Here are a few photos of Surf Dogs falling off, jumping off, pearling and just plain
Wiping Out!

Important note, No dogs were injured in any of these wipeouts and in fact in most cases ran back to their surfboards for more!

Wiping Out is an integral part of surfing. It Happens!

If you're not wiping out, your not having fun!

The Best Wipeout Sequence Ever!

Here's Toby at the 2009 Surf City Surf Dog Competition in Huntington Beach California.
He riding  to big of a surfboard, with no rocker, pearling and getting launched!
No he wasn't hurt.
As a matter of fact he went on to place first in the Small Dog Division!
Photos by Diane Edmonds
http://www.YourWavePics.com

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On to Chapter 11
Great Surf Session. Now what?