A male boxer named Hanzo was the top dog Sunday as more than 70 canines competed in the 11th Annual Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon at Dog Beach in Del Mar.
The winners earned food and toys — and medals.
Canines took part in 10-minute heats based on weight class and were judged on their ability to ride the waves, and stay on the board. The freestyle feature surf contest returned this year with points awarded for creativity.
The Surf-A-Thon’s main purpose is to raise funds for Helen Woodward Animal Center orphan pets and programs.
The day started cool and cloudy, but the surf and weather changed throughout the competition.
Spectators and their dogs cheered and barked their reactions.
Originally scheduled for Sept. 11, the event was postponed due to a water contamination advisory at Dog Beach.
Dog competed in categories from small to extra large, based on their weight.
The top three finishers in each weight class received medals. After the heats came a “Best In Surf” heat including the top finisher from each heat.
Faith, a bulldog, took second place; and Gidget, a female pug, was third.
Brandy the Surf Pug is relaxed before competition at the 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
A pug handles the waves well at the 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Super Corgi Jo Jo surfs toward shore at the 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
A dog shakes off surf at the Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Faith the bulldog is carried to the water as competition begins at the Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Kioni Gallahue and his dog, Derby, wait their turn to compete at Del Mar Dog Beach. Photo by Chris Stone
Owner and dog relax before the competition at Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Search dogs, including Emmy, were honored at the Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Brandy the Pug sets off to its owner’s delight at the11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Two dogs compete side by side as they ride to shore at the 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
A dog hangs on tight while coming into shore at the 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Surf’s up and the dogs are ready at the 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
An owner poses with her dog before the 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
A dog chills while waiting its turn at the 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
A dog shakes off seawater at the 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Three dogs share one board at the 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Two dogs dressed as sharks are ready for competition at Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
A dog leaps off surfboard at the 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Delilah stays steady on the surfboard at the 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
An owner and her dog relax before competition at the 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Several competitors sported sunglasses and hats at the 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Lee Chailee surfs with his chocolate labrador, Koa, at the 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Spectator Harry, a bulldog. gets a close-up look at the 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
An owner dressed as Catwoman surfs with two dogs at the 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
An owner and his dog bond before competition at the 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Gidget the pug won the small dog division and competed in the finals at the 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Kioni Gallahue carries his wet dog, Derby, after the competition at the Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Faith the bulldog won second place overall in the surfing competition at the 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Derby the golden doodle sports a mohawk like his owner at the 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
A dog wearing a Superman costume leaps off surfboard at the 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
A dog dressed in a Superman costume leads three dogs on a surfboard at the 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Ziggy the Alaskan Eskimo has fun surfing at the 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Joanne Esposito (left) and Gigi Hokstad cheer a long surf by their dog at the Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Gunner relaxes with his owner before competition at the 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Three dogs catch the same wave at the 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Dogs competed in a multidog freestyle event at the 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Owners enjoyed the surf as much as the dogs at the 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Hanzo, a boxer, took first place at the Helen Woodward Animal Center’s 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
A dog is dressed as a zebra in the costume contest at the 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Dozer, dressed as a B-52, competes in the costume contest at the 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
A dog dressed as a shark in the costume contest checks out a photographer. Photo by Chris Stone
A dog dressed as a fire chief won first place in the costume contest at the Helen Woodward Animal Center’s 11th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-thon in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
