Pups Ride the Waves at East Coast Dog Surfing Festival

Annual event in Cocoa Beach raises funds for Brevard Humane Society

Mar. 31, 2026 at 9:03am

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a single, iconic surfing dog repeated in a tight grid pattern, capturing the playful and vibrant energy of the East Coast Dog Surfing Festival.Pups take to the waves at the annual East Coast Dog Surfing Festival, a beloved community event that raises funds for homeless animals.Cocoa Beach Today

The 14th annual East Coast Dog Surfing Festival will take place on Easter Sunday in Cocoa Beach, Florida. The event features a dog surfing competition, a Doggy Bikini Contest, an Easter Outfit Contest, and surfing lessons for dogs. The festival serves as a major fundraiser for the Brevard Humane Society to support homeless animals.

Why it matters

The East Coast Dog Surfing Festival is a beloved annual tradition that brings the community together to celebrate the human-animal bond and raise funds for a good cause. The event showcases the athletic abilities of local pups and provides entertainment for attendees, while also supporting the important work of the Brevard Humane Society.

The details

The festival will include a dog surfing competition, with 24 pre-registered canine contestants, including returning champion "Sharkin' Sammie" and newcomer Marlee the Corgi. In addition to the surfing competition, the event will feature a Doggy Bikini Contest, an Easter Outfit Contest, and surfing lessons for dogs. Throughout the day, there will be live music and local vendors.

  • The 14th annual East Coast Dog Surfing Festival will take place on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026.
  • A pre-event party will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Cocoa Beach Fish Camp Grill.

The players

Sharkin' Sammie

A Chiweenie dog from the Tampa area who is the two-time defending champion of the East Coast Dog Surfing Championships.

Marlee

A Corgi dog from the First Coast region who will be competing in both the surfing competition and the Doggy Bikini Contest.

Brevard Humane Society

The organization that sponsors the East Coast Dog Surfing Festival as a major fundraiser to support their mission of finding forever homes for homeless animals.

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What they’re saying

“Sharkin' Sammie will return to defend his title. He is known for his confident, balanced stance and crowd-pleasing rides.”

— Matt Hall, Media Specialist, Brevard Humane Society

“She'll strut her stuff, bringing a fun and playful style to the event.”

— Matt Hall, Media Specialist, Brevard Humane Society

“Every splash at this festival supports the homeless animals in our care. It's a wonderful way for the community to come together, celebrate the human-animal bond and help us continue our mission of finding forever homes for pets in need.”

— Theresa Clifton, Executive Director, Brevard Humane Society

What’s next

The Brevard Humane Society will be hosting a pre-event party on Saturday, April 4, 2026 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Cocoa Beach Fish Camp Grill, where attendees can meet the doggy athletes, enjoy raffles, and get ready for the big day of competition on Easter Sunday.

The takeaway

The East Coast Dog Surfing Festival is a unique and beloved annual event that brings the community together to celebrate the bond between humans and their canine companions, while also raising funds to support the important work of the Brevard Humane Society in finding forever homes for homeless pets.