PAWS were paired with paddles at the weekend as humans and their four-legged friends took part in the third UK Dog Surfing Championships.
The 2021 Dogmasters competition took place on Branksome Dene beach on Sunday, July 25.
Attendees donned their wetsuits and fancy dress and geared up to take their dog for a fast-paced paddle in the sea.
The pupular competition is the brainchild of Mark Reeves, director of Shaka Surf Branksome.
Mark said: “We started the competition in 2018 as a bit of fun as we’re a dog-friendly beach. Lots of people also hired our (Shaka Surf’s) paddleboards and went out with their dogs
“From that it became really popular.
“The event was cancelled last year so we want to bring the feel-good factor for everyone after Covid.
“I’m pleased the event has been a sell-out. I wanted to offer more tickets, but I had to restrict it to 1,000 because of Covid.
“Bear the Beagle has won the competition two years in a row and is our reigning champion.
“There is lots going on here today and it will be a fun day out for everyone.”
The first heat, consisting of six dogs and their owners, started at 11am, with all subsequent heats following afterwards.
The various heats were then followed by the semi-final and final.
One contestant preparing to take part was Wilma the four-year-old Pointer, who was accompanied by owner George Humphreys from Chilton.
George said: “We started taking Wilma out on the paddleboard when she was a puppy, only nine weeks old. Now, she comes out racing with me.
“Our aim today is to have fun, but we can always improve on our last performance. Last time we competed we came third.
“If we win while having fun, that would be great.”
Also competing in the competition was Liz Wilksinson and her nine-year-old Sprollie Diogie.
Liz said: “I started paddle boarding with Diogie as I wanted to take up a sport that we could do together.
“Diogie loves the water and the sea, so we trained and stuck with it.
“This is our first time at the competition. I’m feeling nervous as we’ve done a lot of practice on the river and not as much in the sea, but we have come to have fun.
“It’s not really about the competing for us.”
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