The Noosa Festival of Surfing, set to run March 3-12, is primarily known for its longboarding events, but offers a wide variety of activities for competitors and spectators alike.
The festival has been running since 1992, when it was known as the Noosa Malibu Classic. But since its partnering with renowned surf writer and filmmaker Phil Jarratt’s company, Phil Jarratt Communications Ltd. in 1998, its popularity has only grown exponentially. Nowadays, surfers of all ages and skill levels show up to the beach for the Noosa Festival. And it’s not just surfing — music, art, and even a beach bar are all part of the event!
But what’s most surprising is that with a senior division, twin-fin contest, and Old Mal event, where all competitors must ride boards predating the year 1968, the festival includes an event called the Surfing Dog Championships (not to be confused with the World Dog Surfing Championships held each year in Pacifica outside San Francisco). And it’s one of its most popular contests of the festival, hands down.
Hyped to be the “world’s biggest” dog surfing contest, the Surfing Dog Championships will run for the 11th year, which is by no means a walk in the park. These dogs will be riding sticks, instead of chasing them, at First Point, and onlookers are encouraged to show up early for the 3 p.m. start time (cause this event gets crowded, to say the least).
For a little taste of what past Dog Surfing Championships have put on display, enjoy the edit above from the 2019 Noosa Festival. Here’s to hoping that this year we’ll see some paws to the nose!
