RANCHO SANTA FE — June 29, Helen Woodward Animal Center will kick off the summer with its annual Surf Dog lessons at Dog Beach in Del Mar. Classes prepare beach-loving pups for the center’s annual “Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon” Sept. 8.
The beloved summertime classes will feature some very special expert instruction from legendary leaders of the pack – the So Cal Surf Dogs. The classes, taught by the members of “SurFur Dogs” and their owners, will commence with a dedication ceremony of 10 brand new Surf Dog Surf Boards (donated by the group), at 9:30 a.m. and will be followed by the first class beginning at 10 a.m. June 29.
All Helen Woodward Animal Center Surf Dog lessons cost $45 per dog (one adult human per dog please), including the required life vests and surfboards. Each lesson is limited to 10 dogs per class and runs about an hour in length. Registration is now open for all the Doggie Surf Lessons, scheduled Saturdays at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon on June 29, July 20, July 27 and Aug. 10, Aug. 17 and Aug. 24. Dogs who take to the waves are encouraged to register for the Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon on Sept. 8. All proceeds from the classes and the annual competition go towards the animals and programs at Helen Woodward Animal Center.
For more information or to register, visit surfdogsurfathon.org or call (858) 756-4117, ext. 356. You may also stop by Helen Woodward Animal Center at 6461 El Apajo Road, Rancho Santa Fe in Rancho Santa Fe, or log on to animalcenter.org.
Center friends Kahuna Bob (from Kahuna Bob’s Surf School) and Rob Kuty (from San Diego Pet Training) have volunteered their time to Surf Dog Lessons during the past several years – introducing hundreds of pups to the thrill of the surf.
Without missing a beat, the So Cal Surf Dogs took the opportunity to head the classes, volunteering their skills to familiarize dogs and their owners with the joy of the club’s favorite beach-sport. For more information, visit socalsurfdogs.com.
