Poppy

2023 Best Wave Award Winner

Breed: Groodle
Owner: Michele & Luke

Meet Poppy, the Groodle queen of the waves! Back in 2021, she was the fresh-faced newcomer, but by 2023 this curly-haired sensation and her surfing partners in crime, owners Michele and Luke, are champs of the surf scene.

Armed with hot pink rashies, matching floaties, and some serious off-season training, Team Poppy was hard to miss and impossible to beat. The competition was fierce, with four-legged surfers from all over trying to make the biggest splash. But it was Poppy, with her fantastic furry tricks, who stole the show, the hearts of the audience, and, indeed, the Best Wave Award of '23!

What's her signature move? Try surfing on 2 legs while holding hands with her owner. Talk about cute! We can wait to see what new tricks she brings in 2024!

Bu

Breed: English Staffy
Owner: Dane

Malibu (Bu), an English Staffy and Noosa local, has been a paddleboarding enthusiast since just four months old. Bu has been training hard in the off-season & ready to take the crown.

Kai

Breed: Border Collie
Owner: Zanna

Border Collie Kai, first competed at only 6-months old in 2020. After taking 2021 off, braving the rough conditions in 2022, Kai returned to the Surfing Dog pack in 2023 for a tilt at the trophy. 

Spike

Breed: Kelpie Cross
Owner: Rob

Adopted by owner Rob in 2014, Spike became a regular competitor in the Surfing Dog Championships from 2018, developing a cult following, his own children book and clinching the Best Wave Award in 2018.

Hugsley

Breed: Spanador
Owner: Jonesy

13-year-old Spanador, stick-lover and 3-time winner of the Best Wave Award. This four-legged unit, surfs with the whole family on-board and always surfs with a stick or ball in his mouth. What a legend!

Rama

Breed: Kelpie Cross
Owner: Chris

Always a standout in the Surfing Dog Championships with acrobatic tricks & a fierce grip in the big waves, Rama's competitive edge comes from owner Chris de Aboitiz, a former World Tandem Surfing Champion and acclaimed dog trainer. 

Happy

Breed: Aussie Shepard
Owner: Paul

Newcomer to the Surfing Dog Championships, Happy loves to surf with owner Paul who travelled all the way from WA. Off the waves, this trickster impresses with agile tricks and impeccable training.

Bear

Breed: Cattle Dog
Owner: Isaac

After signing up on the day & competiing In their first-ever Surfing Dog Championships just hours later, Bear & Isaac (owner) were showing off sick tricks and skills on the water like seasoned pros! We hope they return next year for a shot at the title. 

Coco

Breed: Border Collie
Owner: Mark

After signing up on the day & competiing In their first-ever Surfing Dog Championships just hours later, Coco and Mark (owner) were a dynamic duo who had the crowd roaring! We hope they return next year for a shot at the title.