by Hank Randy
Swimming legend has it that the famous Hall of Fame Swim Coach,Buck Dawson, had an idea to create a competitive swim event for our four-legged friends long, long ago in the city of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. But due to a city safety code the event never happened. Fast forward to South Padre Island November 5, 2016 and the dream lives on. Open Water Planet has partnered with ’Tails on the Beach’ to create the first ever four-legged RUFF-water swimming competition for our canine friends on the beaches of South Padre Island.
“Our pets are a big part of our family and there is no reason they shouldn’t be a part of our fitness routine as well, said Open Water Planet C.O.O. Casey Taker. “With support from the City of South Padre Island and the SPI Friends of Animal Rescue we’ve added the ruff-water concept to our lineup of events happening during our 2016 Open Water Festival.”
This year’s RUFF-water swim will consist of 10 teams (one owner and one pet per team).
Interested in registering you and your pet? Click here. Please note all pets must be up to date with shots and will have to sign a waiver upon arrival.
Don’t want to race? Don’t have a pet? Either way, bring your dog and join us on Saturday November 5th at ‘Tails on the Beach’ or join us on Sunday November 6 at Pier 19 for the 1st Annual South Padre Island Open Water Festival hosted by Olympic Gold Medalists Rowdy Gaines and Lenny Krayzelburg!
Swimming news is courtesy of Open Water Planet, a SwimSwam partner.