Six thrill-seeking dogs will have their day at Main Beach in Noosa this Sunday, when they claw for the top prize at the annual Surfing Dog Spectacular.
In its fourth year and sponsored by VetShopAustralia.com.au and Advantix, the Spectacular will take place during the Noosa Festival of Surfing, an eight-day event hosting competitions and workshops for canine and human surfers alike.
Headliner Chris de Aboitiz, a former world tandem surfing champion, professional dog trainer and owner of Kelpie competitor Rama, said it's an interesting change of spotlight for the festival.
"When we go out surfing, quite a few of the public come down and watch, and everyone's walking halfway out in the water because they want to get near the dogs," Mr de Aboitiz said.
"It's a pretty neat feeling, I feel like a surf star but then they all want the dog's attention, we're just the bus driver!"
Not just any old dog can compete alongside Rama and her competitors – Patches, Murf, Pepper, Kosta and Huglsey.
"It's easier to get a dog on a board than you think." Mr De Aboitiz said.
"In rivers or in river mouths, they work quite good because you can just get the dog paddling and comfortable in the flat water, and it's easier for you depending on your stand up paddle skills.
"You have to have good surf skills and have a good relationship with your dog once you get out to the surf, that's a bit more advanced.
"You don't want to take them out in the surf and have a bad experience because then that's going to be a big backwards step in the relationship."
Known to be somewhat of a dog whisperer, with his Natural Balance Dog Training program launched in 2006, Mr De Aboitiz has combined his two loves of stand up paddle boarding and dog training for around twelve years now.
"Jumping on a paddle board is just another way of taking your dog for a walk," he said.
"It's getting a bit of structured exercise and that's good for a dog to have a bit of structure, like when you play a game of fetch and you have a few rules.
"For example, we'll paddle over to a sandbar and drop the dog off and then we'll paddle next to the sandbar while they run and play.
While it's certainly a great trick for your dog to help you create golden Youtube content, Mr De Aboitiz said the benefits are much more substantial.
"It's a great way to build a relationship with your dog, and it's fun, safe – especially in the river – and healthy, healthy for you, healthy for your dog, so it's a nice, natural balance."
