Top dogs ride waves at 10th annual World Dog Surfing Championships in Pacifica

PACIFICA, Calif. -- Several thousand people crowded Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica on Saturday to watch dogs compete against each other on the waves in the 10th annual World Dog Surfing Championships.

Veteran and rookie surfing dogs impressed the crowds who watched the spectacle with delight, cheering loudly when a dog managed to catch a wave.

Small dogs kicked off the day, with competitors like Carson Surf Dog, Bradley Cooper, and Rusty the Surfing Min Pin braving the chilly waters. Rusty sported his classic leopard look while wearing sleek goggles.

French bulldogs Iza and Rocket competed in the medium-size category, with both dogs steadily riding on their surfboards all the way to shore.

Rookie dog Sally, a Staffordshire bull terrier mix, made a splash in the large and extra-large category, catching multiple waves despite the water getting rougher as the morning went on. Labrador retrievers Charlie, Rippin Rosie, and Koa eagerly got on their boards, riding out multiple waves each.

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While waiting for dogs to hit the waves in between sets, attendees stopped at the dozens of booths selling merchandise, food, and samples of Lagunitas drinks.

The crowd roared in excitement watching the tandem category, where multiple dogs tried to ride together on one board. Although the teams struggled to stay on board as surf conditions got choppier, Carson Surf Dog, Rippin Rosie, and Charlie rode together on one board for a few short rides.

Attendees were eager to watch Rippin Rosie and her owner Steve Drottar--a pair who has gained social media fame--catch a few waves on a stand-up paddleboard. The pair made its way far out from the beach to try and get a long ride.

Once they were able to stay on the board in the rough waters, Rippin Rosie and Drottar effortlessly rode toward shore, with Rosie standing tall on the front of the board and Drottar steering in the back.

Another tandem competitor, Tiara, refused to get her paws wet in protest, running back to the warm sandy beach after the first wave.

A team of judges evaluated each performance and declared a winner from each category. Scores were tallied based on length of ride, size of the wave, confidence, balance and extra tricks.

In first place for the small dog category was Bradley Cooper, who won a towel robe, a medal, and a placard. Iza won the medium category while Rippin Rosie took home first place in the large and extra-large category.

The championship was cut off short due to rough surfing conditions, with organizers deciding to not have the final "surf-off" round where winners of the size categories compete on the waves to win the ultimate, overall prize.

Nevertheless, the competition was "the most iconic event on the planet," said U.S. Rep. Sam Liccardo, D-San Jose, as the championship came to an end.