Surf San Diego... with your dog
As if the good surf spots weren't crowded enough already, the Loews Coronado Bay Resort in San Diego County is hosting an event certain to encourage a whole new breed of surfer to hit the water.
Yep, that's right. More than 60 dogs are expected to enter the 3rd Annual Loews Surf Dog Competition Saturday at Imperial Beach. With a little help from their owners, they'll be hanging 20 in three different heats -- no pun intended -- the first for small dogs, the second for big dogs, the third for dog-owner tandem teams.
It's no joke. The winner of each heat will land a feature in Modern Dog Magazine and a getaway to Loews Coronado Bay Resort, a 15-acre retreat with three tennis courts, three restaurants, a private 80-slip marina and easy access to Silver Strand State Beach. I suppose there's no need to inquire if the resort accepts pets.
The schedule for Saturday's event is as follows:
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Optional surfing lessons by the Coronado Surfing Academy for less experienced canines
11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Heat One: Small Surf Dogs (40 pounds and under)
11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Heat Two: Large Surf Dogs (41 pounds and over)
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Heat Three: Tandem Surfing for Surf Dogs & Owners
1:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Furry fashion show with doggie couture by Lucky Dog Boutique
1:45 p.m. to 2 p.m. Awards ceremony
It's $45 to enter a dog in heat one or two, $50 to join your dog in heat three (RSVP ASAP to avoid late fees), but it's free to attend and watch. If that weren't enough incentive, the resort's top chefs will be serving food during the comp. You guessed it -- hot dogs.
--Liam Gowing
Photo of Buddy hanging 20 by Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
