Last Saturday, we packed up the whole crew and went to the beach so Brody could take a surfing lesson. I admit it was a bit of an ambitious plan considering I hadn’t even taken him to the beach yet, but the opportunity presented itself and I found it irresistible. C’mon, we’re talking about a dog named Brody– if ever there was a name fit for a surfer, that is it.
The surf lesson was organized by the local Golden Retriever Meetup group, which is really active and puts on amazing events on a regular basis. I felt a twinge nervous bringing Koa along since unless one is color blind (well, even then you’d figure it out) she is very clearly not Golden, but I wanted her to get to see the beach too.
I had waited on bringing the dogs to the beach for a number of reasons. The first and primary one is that Brody is still a bit unreliable on the “come” command and I had visions of him jumping to and fro all over beachgoers (that one did happen), but the second reason is that the last time I went to Dog Beach was a couple of days before Emmett died, and I was concerned that I might be a little emotional.
I needn’t have worried, though. I was so nervous about the prospect of getting in the freezing water without a wetsuit that I didn’t have time to get all poignant.
Upon arriving, I turned the dogs loose to run off some morning energy while I surveyed the situation. This guy with the surfboard clearly knew what he was doing (and the Bernese was a fantastic surfer as well).
We were fortunate enough to meet the Big Kahuna herself, Surf Dog Ricochet (more on that later). She is a major celebrity in the surf dog world.
The surfing was fun, but let’s be honest- the tennis ball was the main attraction. (see the dog on the board in the distance, looking longingly at the ball?)
Brody’s surf lesson consisted of wading into the frigid water, coaxing him onto the board, and sending him off towards shore while I whooped and cheered. I am off to the left outside the picture, looking a fright, but lest you are concerned I turned Brody over to random dude in a wetsuit, no, I am there too.
He had no clue what the heck was going on.
This is him in the process of falling off, but fortunately he had Koa to spot him.
He caught one wave particularly well and we were all very proud. His dignity intact, he was turned loose after this odd experience to do what he does best, goof off.
Brody debriefs his admirers. “Oh no really, it was totally easy.”
I kind of wanted to steal this little guy. Like, a whole lot.
I learned that there is an entire surfing team of Goldens who do this competitively. I was thrilled and happy to learn that far from being a random way to spend your weekends, surf dog competitions have a long and storied history of giving back and supporting many fine causes. A sport after my own heart.
So is this the face of the next great Golden surfing champion?
The answer is: probably not, since his mama can’t surf and has no plans to learn. But we had fun anyway, and who knows? Maybe this old dog can learn some new tricks too.
If you want any more doggie eye candy to make you smile on this Monday morning, there’s more pictures at Flickr.
And if you want to tear up a little instead, check out this video about Ricochet and her work as a “surfice” dog.
I am officially jealous. I can only take my 3 dogs channel-surfing, and then get all upset when we surf too far from the cooking channels.
Do they really watch cooking shows? Hysterical!
Oh my word. Have you ever seen a happier group of dogs? And if you happen to run into random dude in the wetsuit again, feel free to give him my number.
LOL I believe he is an instructor at the local surf school, should you ever decide to sign up for lessons.
Can I just say that the crimped hair on Brody’s ears, is one of my favorite things!? LOL Adorable.
I kind of want to steal the little guy too! How did you resist? It looks like a good time was had by all. Can’t help but notice that Koa, being a true girl, didn’t get her head wet. She looks so proud of her brother in that picture! 😉
You’re right! I didn’t even notice that!
*sniff* When did Brody go from a wee pup to a dog? When’d that happen? I’m with Eric. Jealous. My dogs were upset when we went to the beach and their paws got wet. Hrmph.
Totally tubular, Brode! In the first surfboard picture, Brody looks completely cool like “Yeah, what? I do this all the time. I sleep on a surfboard!”
I love it!
Go Brody! Love the photos of the dogs frolicking on the beach. Does it get any better than that??
Can I just say how frickin’ cute are his ears when they are wet? Looks like he crimped them.
That looks like loads of fun!
when i saw the pictures on flickr i almost passed out from all the cuteness!!! talk about a fun day at the beach! i’m glad Koa got to go along and have some fun with her buddies too… and glad to hear you had fun too!
How fun! I posted the video about Ricochet a while back – so cool you got to hang out with her!
I was suuuuper excited to meet Ricochet and the awesome Judy!
They all look so intent in the debriefing photo! He must’ve been getting a bit technical in that part of the conversation.
“So then, dig in your paws and hang on for dear life.”
Brody is awesome! So cute! Ricochet video did make me cry.
The de-briefing photo is my favorite!! We were so happy to see Brody surfing, and we hope he joins us some more! Thanks for posting my video, and links… I only surfed a little that day because it was my first time back at the beach post injury, and I was all about running, playing, and chasing the ball like you said!
Zomg, I’m crazy jealous. XD It wouldn’t have been my pooch on a board, it would have been me! I’m a surf nut…I wish I could live close enough to the coast to be able to go every single day. And yes, if I could surf that much, my dogs would go too. Just imagine a welsh corgi on a surfboard!
I’ve lived on the coast since 83 and never learned to surf. LOL.
A corgi would be amazing. There’s a bulldog around here that surfs, which I can barely believe.
Oh my GOD that video. There are tears. There is wondering about the “soundtrack-picking-peoples” ability to pick THE most tear plopping tunes ever…
Great photos, great video. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Squeeeeeeee!
I may just have to get a boogie board and see if I can get Lilly to float on it in our pond (shallow) this summer.
Looks like fun.
Dr V – best post EVER. Totally jealous that your two pups enjoy the beach. Living in Perth, Western Australia we have some of the best beaches in the world and my two dogs HATE the beach. Perhaps if I show them these pictures enough times it will inspire them the “hang 20” too….
Oh, the irony. How could they???? LOL
Very cool! Did Brody try to “pick up” Ricki? She is a beauty and hey, she even has her own job!
He was a gentleman, mostly. Not that he has a choice anymore, lol.
That’s too funny!
OMG Love itr 🙂