San Diego hosts record-setting 7th Annual Loews Dog Surfing Championship

We've all likely seen YouTube videos of canines riding on surfboards and probably got a great laugh, but the activity is serious business for a few Southern California dog owners. Over the past weekend, dozens of canines and competitive canine surfing teams descended on Imperial Beach, California, for the 7th Annual Loews Dog Surfing Championship, which drew a very large crowd of dog lovers who were there to check out the canines' skills on a surfboard, reports People Magazine.

The annual event attracts hundreds of dog parents and spectators who love to come down and snap a few photos of the canines in action. Each dog is fitted with a special floatation device and most aren't tethered to the boards themselves. The competition is split up into three categories - small dogs, large dogs and tandem dogs. Over the years, competitors have found that certain breeds, such as bulldogs, Jack Russell terriers and other dogs with lower centers of gravity are better suited to the task of staying on the board. According to ITV.com, the judges of the event ultimately decide winners based on the dog's style and composure on the board.

"What we're looking for could be length of ride, maybe that little bit of extra flair that a dog has, from the way they're dressed up to, maybe some sunglasses, whatever it might be," Teevan McManus, a judge at the annual competition told the news source.

This year's competitors set some lofty goals from the start, and a group of dog parents set the Guinness World Record for most dogs on a single surfboard. Using a custom-made board provided by one of the event's sponsors, the participants were able to get an astounding 17 dogs on the board and they all hung on to ride a wave into shore. World records aside, after a long morning of surfing, most of the dogs were ready to curl up in a towel and take a quick nap on the beach.

Dog surfing may seem like a crazy idea, but it's one of the many engaging activities that dog parents may gain the courage to try after adopting a furry companion. If you're thinking of adopting a canine and you live in the New York area, consider visiting Bideawee's website for a complete listing of dogs up for adoption near you.