Watch animals 'born to surf' in Waikīkī

In just two days, surfing pets and their owners will compete paws on the nose in The Raising Cane’s Going to the Dogs SurFur ComPETition (GTDSC) at Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest.

Catch the 2025 one-day themed event “Legends of the Pawty Wave,” featuring surfing action from current year competitors and alumni. It begins with a blessing at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21, at Kūhiō Beach in Waikīkī. Surfing will commence at 8:30 a.m. at Baby Queens surf break.

This year, 30 animals (mostly dogs and one cat) will compete in two divisions – tandem with their owners and solo for “high-caliber” surf dog athletes – throughout the day, according to volunteer organizer Kelli Hergert. Official GTDSC heat assignments can be found, here.

The family and pet friendly event is expected to draw hundreds of beachgoers at a time, she said.

Members of the dog surfing community will serve as judges and about 30 volunteers are dedicated to just this portion of Duke's OceanFest, which runs from Aug. 16 to 24.

“We've grown every year since we started in 2015,” Hergert told ASD. “We started off with three dogs and a pig, and we’ve now had cats and ducks surf.”

She said this year, there are three brand new tandem teams that she vetted, but the rest are “returning alumni.”

“We strive to have a safe and fun competition with animals that actually want to be out there on the surfboard. ... We’re not just doing it for the photo ops or the notoriety. Some of these human and dog combos are amazing to watch because they love being with each other so much and surfing is just an activity that they do.

“For a few of them, it looks like they were born to surf. ... That’s what I try to focus on, that everybody out there is having a really good time, that they look happy and want to be out there.”  

When asked about where to park, Hergert said there is nearby street parking, as well as at the Honolulu Zoo, Tom Maffat Waikīkī Shell, and Waikīkī Shopping Plaza and Ross garages.

Raising Cane’s Restaurants has officially sponsored GTDSC since 2022, though its been involved since 2019, she noted. This year, Cane’s selected social media influencers and actress and comedian Amy Hill, to make appearances and help with judging during the day.

“Iʻm really grateful to be a part of Duke's OceanFest,” Hergert said. "And then, to be able to create that kind of magic at the beach and put on a world-class event. I want people to think ʻWow, this was well organized and well thought out, that is was something special.'”

Hergert is a dog mom to Alfie, a 40-pound, 14 year-old poi dog, terrier-mix who enjoys paddle boarding on flat surfaces.

“Jim Fulton was the organizer of OceanFest in 2001, and so in 2015, Jim came to me and said, ʻHey, you own a dog, you know how to surf, do you want to help me with a dog surfing competition?ʻ I said, ʻWell, I donʻt surf with my dog.ʻ And heʻs like, ʻIt doesn't matter. Can you help me with it? I need a pet lover and a surfer.ʻ And Iʻm like, ʻOK!” And so, thatʻs how this all started."

ODKF Support Inc., doing business as Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest, is a nonprofit organization whose mission aligns with the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation, which is “to provide resources for scholarships and grants for Hawaiʻi athletes,” its website notes.

“What I love is the energy at the beach. I can’t say it enough. It’s an amazing event, and just being a part of the mission of celebrating Duke’s life and legacy, perpetuating his Aloha Spirit,” Hergert said. “But also, you cannot be angry when you’re watching dogs and you can’t be unhappy when you see people having fun with their pets, friends and family. You walk away from it with a huge smile.”

For more information about the festival, visit dukekahanamokuoceanfest.com, or follow @dukes_oceanfest. To learn more about the The Raising Cane’s Going to the Dogs SurFur ComPETition, visit surfdogshawaii.com, or follow @sufdogshawaii. Those interested in becoming a sponsor or volunteer may email Hergert at surfdogshawaii@gmail.com.

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Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.