Worlds Coolest Dog & Cat Show

Nani wins the "Water Dog" division of "Dogster's 5th annual" 'Worlds Coolest Dog Contest'
Check it out at:
http://www.dogster.com/show09/winners/dogs

Worlds coolest dog

Check it out.
Nani is entered in the Worlds coolest dog contest.

http://www.dogster.com/show09/vote_pet.php?i=986281

Vote for her!
Woof!

Surf City Dog Surfing Competition

Nani Competed in the 'Shredders' division of the first annual Surf City Surf Dog Competition on Sunday, October 11, 2009. They had heats for 'Grommets' (Beginners) in small dogs, medium dogs, large dogs and extra large dogs as well as heats for 'Shredders' (experienced dogs).
Nani won second place in the Shredders final with the first place going to San Diego Dog Surfing Association 'SurFur' team mate Abbie G and team mate Dozer taking third place. Check out the News Report from Channel 7 in Los Angeles.

http://www.abclocal.go.com/kabc/video?id=7059400

You can also see more video at http//www.DogTownSanDiego.com at:

http://www.dogtownsandiego.com/index.php?option=com_seyret&Itemid=60&catid=8

Check it out!
Woof!

Surf Dogs Calendar

Nani made the cover of the 2010 Surf Dogs Calendar that benefits multiple charities.
She is also featured in the Post Cards and Note Cards as well.
Go to http://www.surfdogscalendar.com to check it out!

Helen Woodward Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon

Nani competed Sunday in the 4th annual Helen Woodward Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon.
She won first place in her heat with 122 points. (Next closest was 79) She went on to compete in the finals but did not place. We did however raised some money for the Hellen Woodward Animal Center and had a great time. The Entire San Diego Dog Surfing team did great with 8 of the 10 finalist! Ricochet took 2nd place and Dozer took third.

Nani Surfing OB

Checkout Nani Surfing at Dog Beach in OB (Ocean Beach) in San Diego, California as seen from a camera mounted on the front of her surfboard.
Go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mni6V7wPiUU

San Diego Dog Surfing Association donates to the Coronado Fire Department

Thanks to Dina Demeo and John Grover, the San Diego Dog Surfing Association was able to donate a pair of canine oxygen mask to the Coronado Fire Department on Sunday, August 9,2009

Purina Incredible Dog Challenge Dog Surfing Competion on ESPN

Check out the Video of the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge Dog Surfing Competition on ESPN: http://www.vimeo.com/5785988

Helen Woodward Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon

We need your help to raise some money for the Helen Woodward Animal Center.

We have entered Nani in the Dog Surfing Competition to benefit their organization. Last year she won first place in the extra large dog division and second place over all! See poster attached! That’s Nani in the upper right hand corner!

You can go to this link to donate: http://surfdog.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=304980&supId=256704569 Donate $1.00, $2.00 $5.00, $10.00, $25.00 or ??? for each wave Nani Surfs. (Nani will catch 5 in the 20 minutes they allow us. Just make a lump sum donation in the box over the thermometer.)


Your gift is tax deductible to the extent allowed by the law. Helen Woodward Animal Center is a registered 501(c)3 organization.

Here is their web site if you would like more information about the event or the Helen Woodward Animal Center: http://surfdog.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=3&i=304980

Here’s a link to a short video a friend made of her at last years competition: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRAoPs_3x2E

You can learn more about Nani on her Blog at: http://www.nanisurfdiva.blogspot.com

Come and watch more than 50 dogs of all sizes and breeds at Dog Beach in Del Mar on September 13 from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm!

We really, really appreciate your donation!

Woof!

Peter & Gabi Noll, Nani and Kiki!

Nani on NPR

Checkout the story on NPR (National Public Radio) on dogs surfing!
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106770576

Nani Wins Big at 'SurfinPaws' Dog Surfing Competition!

Nani competed in the first annual SurfinPaws Dog Surfing Competition in Huntington Beach, California, on Saturday July 11. More than 40 dogs brave large waves with a really strong cross current to establish this year’s best surfing dog.
Nani won first place in the large dog division and the silver bowl as Grand Champion over all! Check out the video on the Orange County Register's website at: http://www.ocregister.com/video/index.php?bcpid=1127694947&bclid=1125901233&bctid=29186003001
Other San Diego dogs won as well. Toby (a Shih-Tzu)won second place in the small dog division. Abby G (an Australian Kelpie) won second place in the medium dog division. Dozer (an English Bulldog) won best wipeout! Stanley (a Chesapeake Bay Retriever) won for longest ride! All the San Diego Dogs performed much better than all the other dogs including Ricochet, Kalani and King (Golden Retrievers) as well as Guido and Kona.
Next event is the Helen Woodward Dog Surf-A-thon on September 11 at Dog Beach in Del Mar.

Purina Incredible Dog Challenge Dog Surfing Competition

The Schedule for viewing the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge is:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 - 2:00 to 3:00 pm - ESPN
Saturday, August 1, 2009 - 1:30 to 2:30 pm - ESPN
Sunday, November 15, 2009 - 1:30 to 2:30 pm - ESPN2
Sunday, December 13, 2009 - 1:00 to 2:00 pm - ESPN2
Sunday, January 3, 2010 - 3:00 to 4:00 pm - ESPN2
Sunday, January 3, 2010 - 4:00 to 5:00 pm - ESPN2
Check out the Video at: http://www.vimeo.com/5785988

Hunington Beach River Mouth

On Sunday (June 28, 2009) Nani went up to Hunington Beach to help Rene with his novice surfing dogs in getting ready for the first ever Surfinpaws Dog Surfing Competition! It turns out Laylan Connelly from the Orange County Register was there to do a story about the practice session and the event. Check it out at: http://tinyurl.com/l779bv
Great photos and video!

Loews Surf Dog Competition

Nani surfed in the Loews Surf Dog Competition on Saturday, June 20, 2009 in Imperial Beach, just south of San Diego. Over 60 dogs braved the cold, cloudy day with sloppy waves to raise money for the "Modest Needs Foundation" She didn’t win but we had a great time!

You can see a short video of her on You Tube at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RB2q87RDU4

I uploaded some photos my son Matt took at the event on our Flickr site at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nanisurfdiva/3655551367/in/set-72157620293172689/

She was wearing a Doggie Life Vest (safety first) that my sister modified with a wild fabric and ruffles, so it was clear she was a girl!

You can see a great slide show of the event at:

http://eppicsurf.com/view_session.php?id=4578

There were reporters and news crews from all over the world.

Gabi was interviewed by a news crew from a TV station in Berlin.

I was interviewed by a news crew from a TV station in Japan.

Nani was on the front page on the San Diego Union Tribune on Sunday Morning. You can see the article at:

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jun/21/1m21dog224325-surfing-dogs-fetch-look-annual-event/?metro&zIndex=120229

Gabi's sister lives in Munich, Germany. Monday morning she e-mailed us a picture of Nani on a surfboard with 4 other dogs that appeared in the Munich newspaper.

If we lived in the mountains, she’d be pulling a cart, but alas…we live in southern California.

What’s a Berner to do? Why Surf of course!

She Loves it! She really does!

Purina Incredible Dog Challenge Dog Surfing Competition

Hey Surf Doggies.
My son took a few photos at the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge Surf Dog Competition in Ocean Beach on Friday, June 12, 2009. I picked a few out and put them up on Flickr. Go to:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nanisurfdiva/sets/72157619929478600/
Click on one of the photos, then click on the little projection screen on the right. This will go into a slide show. Enjoy!

Purina Incredible Dog Challenge-Surf Dog Competition

On Friday, June 12, Nani competed in the first ever Purina Incredible Dog Challenge - Surf Dog Competition. The event was held at Dog Beach in Ocean Beach. Six small dogs and six large dogs were invited to participate. It was a gray, overcast day with sloppy waves, but was a ton of fun! There were some awesome dogs and the nicest group of people you would ever want to hang with! In the end, Nani took second place in the large dog group with first place going to Stanley and his trainer Greg. The incredible Buddy with trainer Bruce, won first place in the small dog division with second place going to Abbie and trainer Michael. The event was run by Carson Events who did a terrific job! Thanks Cathy!! The event will air on ESPN sometime in late July 2009 or early August, 2009. Matt took over 650 photos. I put some of them on my Facebook page. Go to: www.facebook.com/psnoll

Nani filmed by Fox5 News

Nani was filmed on Monday (June 8,2009) by Fox5 News at Dog Beach, Coronado to promote the upcoming Loews Surf Dog Competition. See video at: http://www.fox5sandiego.com/video/?autoStart=true&topViedoCatNo=default&clipid=3855373

YouTube

Nani has a few videos on YouTube.
If you haven't seen them, check them out!
Short one of Nani at last years Helen Woodward Surf Dog, Surf-A-Thon:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KD-8uNnxn8

Yet another short shot of Nani at the Surf-A-Thon:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP4CTNPCd60

Way cool one of Nani at last years Surf-A-Thon:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRAoPs_3x2E (by Rene Bruce)

Nani surfing for the Surf Dog Calendar. (See's on one of the Post Cards)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sjs2VcdPuU (by Eric Janson)

Nani Surf Diva:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gXfdCN1OXI

Nani Surfing With Kia:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuShYVvpW7g

Dogster

Nani's on Dogster!
Check her out at: http://www.dogster.com/dogs/986281

Busy Summer

Nani has a busy summer.

Nani will participate in the Purina® Incredible Dog Challenge - Western Regional - Surf Competition at Dog Beach in Ocean Beach on June 13th, 2009. Come Check it out! This is the first time a Dog Surfing Event has been added to the Purina® Incredible Dog Challenge Series. This will appear on ESPN later in the year.

She will also participate in the Loew's Surf Dog Competition on June 20th, 2009. Proceeds from this event benefit the Loews Coronado Bay Resort's Good Neighbor Partner, Modest Needs Foundation. Go to: http://www.loewssurfdog.com/ for more information. Come participate or just come to cheer on Nani!

On June 11th, 2009 she will go up to Hunington Beach to participate in the Surfing Paws Dog Jam. This will be an incredible event that benefits the Orange County SPCA. There will be a Red Carpet Awards Event after the Contest at the Waterfront Hilton. For more information go to: http://www.surfinpaws.com/
(Rene Bruce (he organized this event) is using video of Nani surfing with his dog Kia on this web site to promote the Dog Surfing event. Way Cool!)

She not done yet....

On September 13, 2009 Nani will again participate in the 4th annual Helen Woodward Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon that benefits the Helen Woodward Animal Center. This event will help raise awareness and money for orphaned pets while promoting responsible pet ownership.
This is a must see event!

Purina® Incredible Dog Challenge

Nani has been Invited to participate in the Purina® Incredible Dog Challenge® Western Regional Surf Competition at Dog Beach in Ocean Beach on June 13th, 2009
This is a new event for the Purina Dog Challenge series and will be televised some time in the future on ESPN.

Surf Calendar

After the Helenwoodwar Surf-a-thon last year in September, Nani was approached to participate in a photo shoot for a Surfdog Calendar.
Every year a surf Dog Calendar, Post Cards and Note Cards are put together to benifit animal charities.
Go to : Surfdogcalendar.com
Nani is one of the most popular note cards. They are available at:
Imperial Beach by the Sea Gifts - 862 Seacoast Dr.
Earth, Wind & Sea - Orange Ave; Coronado
Postal Annex - Orange Ave. Coronado
Rite-Aid - Orange Ave; Coronado
Hotel Del Coronado - Set Sail
Old Town Market - Dog Booth
World Famous Dog Wash - Ocean Beach
Surf Diva - La Jolla Shores
Scripps Green Gift Shop - N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla
Hansen's - Encinitas
The Grateful Dog - Pacific Coast Hwy. Encinitas/Leucadia
Queen Eileen's - Pacific Coast Hwy. Encinitas
Offshore Surf Shop - Coast Hwy. Carlsbad

Nani

After visiting a friend in Germany who had a Bernese Mountain Dog, Gabi and I decided that was it. When we get home, we're going to get a Bernese Mountain Dog. Well it took more than a year, but we heard of one over in Arizona. We decide we would go look. Well, we drove to Tempe Arizona and when we saw her, it was all over. Fell in love instantly. We grabed her and drove right back to San Diego.

At an early age, Nani was diagnosed with hip dysplasia.
Several Veterinarians and orthopedic specialist were consulted
Some suggested various surgical procedures and some suggested various medications. Still others suggested various physical therapies.
In the end, we decided we would try swimming.
We took Nani to Mission Bay. The idea was that I would paddle my kayak and Nani would swim behind. Problem was, Nani would be crying the entire time. I would pull onto the beach and Nani would jump into the kayak. So I ended up paddling her around the bay. The other dogs got wind of this and before you knew it, I was paddling three dogs around the bay. Clearly this was not going to work. (I was getting in shape, but this was never the plan)
So I tried swimming out 50 yards or so from the beach and tread water waiting for. (Nani wasn’t far behind) Problem was, she was crying the entire time. I think she thought I was drowning. So I would hold on the nap of her neck and Nani would pull me back to the beach. This would be repeated a half dozen times. This turned out to be a pretty good workout.
When I would go surf Kayaking, Nani would run back and forth on the beach, you guessed it, crying the entire time. One time the kayak came back to the beach with out me (this happened more than once) and Nani jumped in. So, I pushed her out into the surf. I pushed her into a wave and she sat there like Cleopatra all the way to the beach.
A close friend witness this curious behavior. She told us about a surfing contest for dogs (The Helen Woodward Surf-A-Thon) and suggested that we sign Nani up. I thought she was nuts and didn’t give it much thought again. About six months later she called me to remind me that the surfing contest was coming up in two weeks and wondered if I was going to enter Nani. We decided we would take her to dog beach in Del Mar that weekend to she if she could surf. I had a $99.00 foam top surf board I purchased at Costco to teach our friends children visiting from Germany.
I swear, this is the honest truth. I walked out into the water with Nani close behind. I set the surfboard down in the shallow water and Nani jump right up onto the surfboard. I pushed her out through a few waves, turn her around and pushed her into a small wave.
She rode that wave all the way to the beach. We could not believe it! We tried again and she did it again. When we got home, we signed her up for the surfing contest.
The day of the contest was a typically beautiful sunny San Diego day. We entered Nani in the xtra large dog division. She won first place (a gold metal) in her weight group and moved on to compete in the finals. She won second place (a silver metal) over all. Not bad for two weekends of practice. Don’t forget, she has hip dysplasia.

Since then, we’ve taken her several more times just for fun. She loves it!
When she hears the sound of the Velcro of my board shorts, she goes nuts, She starts crying, jumping up and down, barking and starts nosing me towards the car. This doesn’t stop until she’s on the board in the water.
I can’t tell you how many times people have come up to us to say it made their day to watch her surf. She regularly draws a crowd.
We don’t make her do this. If she didn’t want to do it, we would not force her.
I'm always watching her and am close by to be sure she’s o.k.
Nobody should force their dog to do anything they don’t want to do.
There’s a better than average chance if you go to Dog Beach in Del Mar on any sunny weekend, you’ll see this very happy Bernese Mountain Dog surfing. If this doesn’t make you smile, nothing will!