Whippet Named Margo Wins 2025 UK Dog Surfing Championship at Branksome Beach
Everything is Pawesome: 2025 UK Dog Surfing Championship in Pictures
When life’s a beach... take a paws. That was the unofficial motto this weekend at Branksome Beach, where wet noses met salty waves for one of the most entertaining sporting events on the UK calendar—the 2025 UK Dog Surfing Championship.
Thousands of spectators—human and canine alike—gathered on the golden sands of England’s south coast to watch dogs of all shapes, sizes, and breeds take to their boards in pursuit of glory, soggy treats, and tail-wagging fun.
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Margo Makes Waves
The undisputed star of the day was Margo, a sleek and speedy whippet, who along with her owner Carl Barnes, paddled and surfed her way to the top of the leaderboard. With remarkable balance, elegance, and a wagging tail that never quit, Margo showed off her natural surfing flair, earning raucous applause and plenty of belly rubs.
Carl, a paddleboarding instructor from Cornwall, said:
"Margo’s been practising with me since she was a pup. She just loves the water, and she’s fearless on the board. It’s surreal, honestly—I never thought we’d win!"
A Dog-Gone Great Day
The championship, now in its sixth year, is not just about winning. It’s about celebrating the bond between humans and their furry companions, raising money for animal charities, and having a barking mad time.
From bulldogs with bandanas to poodles in wetsuits, the variety was as colourful as it was cuddly. Dogs competed in several categories, including solo surf (dog only), tandem surf (dog and human), and freestyle, which included tricks and themed costumes.
One crowd favourite was a golden retriever named Biscuit, dressed as a pirate complete with hat and plush parrot on her shoulder, while a particularly brave chihuahua named Nacho wowed the crowd by leaping off the board mid-wave and swimming back to shore in style.
Catching the Wave—Literally
But make no mistake—while the event is fun, it’s also fiercely competitive. Dogs are scored on balance, confidence, time on the wave, and, of course, style. Judges also award extra points for creativity, crowd reaction, and teamwork.
Surfers and pups trained for months leading up to the competition. Boards were custom-modified for paw-grip, and special canine flotation vests ensured safety for all participants.
As Judge Sophie Allen, a canine sports expert, explained:
"It’s not just cute—it’s skilled. These dogs have balance, endurance, and trust in their owners. It’s a joy to see the bond between them play out on the water."
For a Good Paws
Beyond the laughter and splashing, the championship serves a greater purpose. This year’s event raised over £50,000 for dog welfare charities across the UK, including the RSPCA and smaller rescue centres. Booths lined the promenade with adoption info, doggy merchandise, and even a mobile dog spa for post-competition pampering.
Organisers also ran water safety and training workshops for pet owners, ensuring the event promoted both fun and education.
Picture Paw-fect Moments
While the competition provided plenty of action, it was the moments between waves that truly captured hearts: owners cuddling their dogs on the sand, pups shaking off seawater in slow motion, and one very persistent dachshund digging a hole nearly the size of himself.
Photojournalists and smartphone-wielding fans documented every joyful moment, turning social media into a sea of #DogSurfUK posts. One viral photo showed a soggy but smiling Margo with her medal, tongue lolling out and eyes gleaming with excitement.
Conclusion
As the sun set on Branksome Beach, the 2025 UK Dog Surfing Championship wrapped up with wagging tails, sandy paws, and hearts full of joy. For Margo and Carl, it was a triumphant moment. For the rest of us, it was a reminder that sometimes, the best athletes have four legs and a love for chasing waves.
Whether you're a hardcore surfer or just someone who enjoys dogs in tiny life jackets, one thing’s for sure: next year’s championship can’t come soon enough. Until then, hang twenty and stay paw-sitive!
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The 2025 UK Dog Surfing Championship made waves at Branksome Beach as whippet Margo and her owner Carl Barnes claimed the title. See the best moments in pictures.