Are you a dog owner who's trained your dog to surf? Because if you want some national exposure for your talented surfing pooch, you may be able to achieve that goal this week at an audition in Oakland to participate in a dogs-only wave-machine float that will appear in the 2017 Rose Parade in January in Pasadena.
The event, and the float, are sponsored by charitable company Lucy Pet Products and their Lucy Pet Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) corporation with the mission to reduce the overpopulation of pets in the US and the euthanasia of over 80,000 unwanted dogs and cats that take place weekly at shelters across the country.
The Lucy Pet Foundation has created a huge portable wave machine called the Gnarly Crank’n K-9 Wave Maker, which consists of a 75-foot long tractor-trailer filled with 5,000 gallons of water, made specifically for dogs to show off their surfing skills. The float will also be making appearances in Houston, Chicago, and Orlando this summer, culminating with an event at Rockefeller Plaza in New York in September.
"Fun is what the surfing dog tour is all about," says founder Joey Herrick, who named the company and foundation after his rescued Chihuahua mix Lucy. "If you've ever seen dogs surfing at the beach, or in this wave machine, it's fun to watch!"
The surfing thing is inspired in part by one of Lucy Pet Foundation's mascots, Surfin' Jack, who appeared in a 2015 Super Bowl spot and makes frequent appearances along with other rescued mascots like “Ricky the Rescue” cat and his sidekick, “Ethel Moustacha” the cat.
The Oakland audition happens in conjunction with the Bark at the Park event at the A's game on Friday July 22 at the Oakland Coliseum. Fans and their dogs each need separate tickets for the event, and the dogs need proof of vaccinations, and from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. the Gnarly Crank’n K-9 Wave Maker will be parked in the parking lot for doggy surfing auditions. The most talented and photogenic dogs from around the country till be invited to join the float in the parade in Pasadena. Pre-registration for dogs is here.
Below, video of the wave machine in action at Universal Studios as shown on the Hallmark Channel's Home and Family.
