Hey Zuz, I’m confused: Can I bring my dog surfing?

We love surfing at The Wipeout Weekly, but we love animals equally so. And that’s why we’re sharing some strong feelings in today’s Hey Zuz I’m Confused: can I let my dog loose on the beach while I’m surfing?

😵‍💫 hey zuz, i am confused

I surf regularly, 4–5 times a week. I’m currently thinking about getting a dog. I see some surfers bring their dogs to the beach and let them loose while they surf. The puppies seem happy enough. Any reason not to do it? It’s just that when I go out surfing it sometimes takes me 5–6 hours door to door — not sure how often a puppy needs to pee…

🥰 dear reader

I have many conflicting thoughts on the subject, starting with the fact that perhaps this question is more appropriate for a dog forum than a surf forum. But setting that aside — and also setting aside the fact that you should never leave your dog with no way to relieve themselves when they need to, and that puppies pee non-stop (that’s what puppy pee pads are for) — I just wouldn’t bring your dog surfing and let it run around on the beach. Needless to say, I wouldn’t leave the dog in the car either, even if the window’s cracked. Three reasons.

Number one: most surf spots don’t actually allow dogs on the beach. Everyone still brings their dogs, of course, but all it takes is one overachieving city official having a bad day and suddenly everyone’s getting fined and no one is laughing.

Two: one of my friends back in the UK used to bring her dog when she went out surfing. Then one day some random lady grabbed her dog and started walking away. Let’s just say my friend has never paddled faster to the beach.

Three: surfing requires focus. I dare anyone to be fully present in the surf while their dog is running around on the beach and you keep checking whether the puppy is okay — or getting into trouble with another loose dog.

Okay, I could’ve saved us some time and just said this is a stupid idea and no, you shouldn’t do it. Perhaps get an indoor cat instead.

Author: The Wipeout Weekly team