Dogs participate in the Hang 8 Dog Surfing competition. Photo by Stephen Matteo
Dogs participate in the Hang 8 Dog Surfing competition. Photo by Sydney Tevin
Dogs participate in the Hang 8 Dog Surfing competition. Photo by Sydney Tevin
Dogs participate in the Hang 8 Dog Surfing competition. Photo by Sydney Tevin
Dogs participate in the Hang 8 Dog Surfing competition. Photo by Stephen Matteo
Dogs participate in the Hang 8 Dog Surfing competition. Photo by Stephen Matteo
Dogs participate in the Hang 8 Dog Surfing competition. Photo by Stephen Matteo
Dogs participate in the Hang 8 Dog Surfing competition. Photo by Stephen Matteo
Dogs participate in the Hang 8 Dog Surfing competition. Photo by Stephen Matteo
Dogs participate in the Hang 8 Dog Surfing competition. Photo by Stephen Matteo
Dogs participate in the Hang 8 Dog Surfing competition. Photo by Stephen Matteo
Eric Cooley and Frankie participate in the Hang 8 Dog Surfing competition. Photo by Stephen Matteo
Eric Cooley and Frankie participate in the Hang 8 Dog Surfing competition. Photo by Stephen Matteo
Dogs participate in the Hang 8 Dog Surfing competition. Photo by Stephen Matteo
Dogs participate in the Hang 8 Dog Surfing competition. Photo by Stephen Matteo
Dogs participate in the Hang 8 Dog Surfing competition. Photo by Stephen Matteo
Dogs participate in the Hang 8 Dog Surfing competition. Photo by Stephen Matteo
Dogs participate in the Hang 8 Dog Surfing competition. Photo by Stephen Matteo
More than 30 dogs and their owners participated in the first annual Hang 8 Dog Surfing Extravaganza in Daytona Beach on May 31, as competitors and spectators gathered along the newest Volusia County dog-friendly shoreline.
The event, held at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach, marked the first dog surfing contest organized by Daytona Dog Beach Inc., a local nonprofit dedicated to expanding beach access for dogs in Volusia County. The competition was presented in partnership with Volusia County Animal Services, the Hard Rock Hotel and Hang 8 Dog Surfing, which has hosted a similar event in Flagler County for the past five years. Eric Cooley, a Flagler Beach City Commissioner, co-founded Hang 8.
Daytona Dog Beach Inc. originally began as a vendor at previous Hang 8 Dog Surfing events before becoming a partner for the new Daytona Beach competition.
“Volusia County Animal Services approached us about hosting a dog surfing event on the new dog-friendly beach, and we decided to make it happen,” said Nanette McKeel Petrella, founder and president of Daytona Dog Beach Inc.
The event featured more than surfing competitions. It also included a dog costume contest, a dog kissing booth and vendors from across Florida. When Daytona Dog Beach Inc. joined Hang 8 Dog Surfing as co-host, the organization adapted activities from earlier events while adding new elements of its own.
The surfing competition attracted participants from across Florida, with some competitors traveling from as far away as West Virginia. The contest included four divisions: large dogs, medium dogs, small dogs and tandem (where owners and dogs surf together). Awards were given for honorable mention, third, second and first place in each division. The costume contest and kissing booth were also judged.
The event was especially memorable for Petrella. Daytona Dog Beach Inc. recently celebrated its fifth anniversary. The organization was established to advocate for dog-friendly beach access in Volusia County, and its efforts contributed to the creation of dog-friendly beach areas in Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach after county officials approved regulatory changes. Dogs had been prohibited on most Volusia County beaches for more than 30 years before the nonprofit began its advocacy in 2021.
The Daytona Beach dog-friendly area, which opened in December 2025, hosted the event. In addition to advocacy, Daytona Dog Beach Inc. funds and maintains amenities at designated dog beaches, such as waste bag dispensers and hydration stations. Volunteers patrol the beaches by collecting litter.
The dog surfing competition highlighted these community partnerships. Volunteers from across the region staffed the event, while local businesses, sponsors and county officials worked together to bring the competition to Daytona Beach.
Petrella said the response from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many encouraging organizers to make the competition an annual event.
“We were able to create something that brought people together, supported animal welfare and showcased our community in a positive way,” Petrella said. “That’s what I’m most proud of.”
Proceeds from this event went to benefiting adoption, rescue, urgent medical care, and other programs that help the Volusia County Animal Services’ mission of caring for animals in need.
