Animals and Water Sports

SI Staff | Oct 4, 2011

Animals and Water Sports /

Animals and Water Sports

Animals show they can keep up with their owners and have just as much fun with water sports, such as surfing, water skiing, wakeboarding and skimboarding. Saint, a three-year-old golden retriever, catches a wave in Morro Bay, Calif. His owner said he has been surfing most of his life.

Peruvian surfer Domingo Pianezzi rides a wave with his alpaca Pisco at a beach in Lima. Pianezzi has spent a decade training dogs to ride the nose of his board when he catches waves, and now he is the first to do so with an alpaca.

Never thought you'd see a surfing polar bear? Well, this fluffy beast stays cool as it does a little disk surfing on a beautiful spring day at the Rio Grande Zoo in Albuquerque, N.M.

These four dogs, Nani, Ricochet, Dozer, and Toby (L-R), share a surfboard and a good time at the Helen Woodward Animal Center Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon. When was the last time you saw four humans on the same surfboard?

Kai, an eight-year old Russell Terrier, hangs on for dear life as she competes in the 4th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon. At least the surfboard matches the life vest.

Bentley, a two-year-old Pug, rides a wave as he competes in the 4th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon. Do you think his ride scored better than Kai's?

This six-year old Pomeranian aptly named Bobby Gorgeous waits to compete in his costume contest at the 4th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon.

Liana J. Cooper, Racine Journal Times/AP

Twiggy, a squirrel owned by Lou Ann Best, of Sanford, Fla., water skis around a pool pulled by a radio-controlled boat during the 13th annual Racine, Wis. In-Water Boat Show. In addition to three other Twiggys, the Best family has taught a miniature horse, a miniature poodle, an armadillo, a toad and a cat to water ski.

Nigel Cook, Daytona Beach News-Journal/AP

The surfing cat named Tobby hangs 20 after a helpful push from her owner. The 13-month-old cat not only enjoys riding the waves, but also likes to ride the back of her masters motorcycle attired with her own helmet. Who knew cats liked adventure?

Queenie, an Asian elephant, water skis upon specially created water skis to keep her huge body afloat at a park in Florida, where she was the star of a water skiing show. Sadly, Queenie was euthanized at a Georgia wildlife park, May 30, 2011, where she lived her final years in retirement.

Two dogs ride together on a surfboard while their owner cheers them on during the 6th Annual Loews Coronado Bay Resort Surf Dog Competition, which took place on Imperial Beach, Calif.

Old British bulldogs (not typically known as very athletic dogs) Louie (R) and Betsy (L) ride a wave together during the Loews Surf Dog Competition in Imperial Beach, California.

This guy shows off his love for America and his surfing dog, Mr. Tuff, as he waits for a wave during the Loews Surf Dog Competition in Imperial Beach, California.

Well, this Australian emu is just a stuffed animal, but it still contributes to the Olympic sport of kayaking. Andrew Trim of Australia placed the stuffed Australian emu on his shoulders after the men's K2 500m kayak sprint at the Regatta Center at the Sydney Olympics.

A couple of sea lions hang around a wakeboard at the Palmolive Kitesurf World Cup 2010. Their wakeboarding careers happened so fast that no one could get a picture.

Maya, a two-year old mixed Lab, rides the surf in Lavalette, N. J. Maya's owner was teaching his dog to balance on his surfboard.

Ralph, a purebred mutt, surfs a wave with his owner on the beach of Mt. Maunganui, near Auckland, New Zealand.

Spinnaker, a six-year-old Australian terrier, takes a wave on a boogie board in Russel, New Zealand.

Jim Tiller, Daytona Beach News-Journal/AP

Snoopy, a water-loving pit bull, gets a ride atop a boogie board. Snoopy sure looks comfortable. His owner? Not so much.

That dog is probably about as happy as he looks. Brown Sugar and his owner struggle to stay up on their ski as they water ski in 20 degree temperatures on the Mississippi River in St. Louis on New Year's Day. Why does he brave the cold? Good question.

A Jack Russell dog named Porter shows off his skimboarding skills at a casting call to appear on the "Havin' a Splash" float in the 122nd Tournament of the Roses Parade.

Surf dog Duke catches a wave during a training session for the Chile Extremo surf school, run by Duke's owner, about 75 miles northwest of Santiago, Chile. The students watching Duke hope that one day they can surf just as well.

This German Shepherd was a fanatic for water sports, according to his owner. At three years old he was already an experienced water skier. I wonder if he still enjoys water skiing today (at an age upwards of 50 human years)?

A woman wakeboards dressed as an elk; hopefully, that costume cushions any pain if and when she wipes out.

Buddy, a 4-year-old Jack Russell terrier, makes like a human and surfs on just two legs.

This dog looks prime to get a high score at a surf dog contest held in Huntington Beach, California on September 25, 2011.

Unfortunately, this dog does not look so primed to get a high score, as he leaps from his board while wiping out.

This dog nearly blends in with the wave during the competition. Let's hope he receives high marks for his disappearing act.

The wave overcomes this poor dog during a surf dog competition, and he is knocked off the board.

This boxer, named Hanzo Felland, cuts cleanly through the wave, with a symmetrical wave adding to the run.

Published Oct 4, 2011

SI STAFF