Noosa’s famous dog lovers will be out in force this weekend as the world’s biggest surfing dog competition returns to the water as part of the Noosa Festival of Surfing.
The VetShopAustralia Surfing Dog Championships will celebrate its 15th anniversary on Saturday 14 March, with crowds expected to line the shoreline at First Point Noosa to watch some of the coast’s most talented “hydro-hounds” ride the waves.
The light-hearted but fiercely contested event has become one of the most popular attractions of the festival, drawing thousands of spectators each year eager to see dogs and their owners tackle the surf together.
Twelve all-star dog-and-human teams from previous championships will paddle out this year to compete for the coveted Best Wave award.
Among those returning are 2025 champions Team Bear and handler Isaac, the colourful surf family behind Team Duke the Basset Hound, and crowd favourite Team Basil the Corgi, who won over fans during last year’s competition.
The surfing dogs have become a beloved feature of the festival since the event began as a playful workshop at Noosa Dog Beach in 2012.
Since then it has grown into a global spectacle celebrating both canine talent and the special bond between dogs and their owners.
Spectators are encouraged to arrive from 2pm to meet the dogs and their handlers before the teams hit the water at 3pm for a 45-minute surf showdown.
Organisers say the anniversary event promises plenty of thrills, with returning champions, enthusiastic newcomers and the inevitable wipe-outs expected to entertain the beachside crowd.
Presented by VetShopAustralia, the championships are free to watch and are expected to be one of the standout moments of this year’s Noosa Festival of Surfing.
With sunscreen, cameras and plenty of cheering encouraged, locals and visitors alike are being invited to head down to First Point to see whether this year’s champion will once again be decided on four legs rather than two.
