Flagler County, FL - Flagler Beach commissioners approved a dog-surfing contest that is expected to take place in May.
The Hang 8 Dog Surfing event organizers want to host the competition on Flagler Beach.
However, city officials pointed out that the beach doesn’t allow dogs.
Eric Cooley, commission chair, who is also a member of Hang 8, took the issue to the commission with a surfing dog named Wednesday.
Cooley told the commission “I wanted to bring her by so everybody could meet her because Wednesday is the actual real founder of Hang 8. The humans have kinda just gone along with her idea."
Cooley also demonstrated Wednesday’s surfing skills during the commission meeting by bringing out a surfboard and showing how dogs can surf in the event.
According to Cooley, Wednesday, clad in a doggy-sized life jacket, has been hitting the waves for years,
Despite the beach’s no-dogs policy, the commission approved a temporary waiver to allow the event to have dogs along the beach.
The Hang 8 Dog Surfing event’s Facebook page lists the event date as May 20.
The Hang 8 Dog Surfing event, a first in Flagler Beach, is expected to attract a large number of participants and spectators, many of whom will be visiting from outside the area.
While the event has been hailed as a fun way to enjoy the beach, it has also raised concerns among some residents about the possible consequences of having dogs on the beach.
Some residents have expressed concern about the safety of the dogs, as well as the potential for increased littering and other problems.
However, Cooley and other event organizers have stressed that they are taking precautions to ensure that the dogs are safe and that the event is a success.
In an interview with WKMG, Cooley said that the event was about “promoting our community, promoting our beach, and having a great time with our pets.”
He also emphasized that the organizers were working closely with city officials to make sure the event goes smoothly and that all necessary precautions are taken.