Sad.
Speciesism, these days, is as unchill as ablism, classism, heteroism etc. but professional surfers are waking up, this morning, with bad feelings toward dogs brewing in hearts. Yesterday, you see, was the wildly successful conclusion of the US Open of Surfing there in Huntington Beach. Light thousands watched online, though the sand was packed, as Zeke Lau was crowned champion thus fulfilling the promise spotted by ABC television producers last year.
Lau, you certainly recall, as “The Ultimate Surfer.”
And, thus, professional surfers expected their names, and exploits to be splashed across front pages, dominating internet news feeds, professional surfing for the win.
Alas, what they discovered was almost exclusive coverage of the 2022 World Dog Surfing Championships up in Pacifica, near San Francisco.
According to the Bay Area’s local NBC affiliate:
Large crowds packed Pacifica’s Linda Mar Beach Saturday for the World Dog Surfing Championships.
People watched man’s best friend ride some waves.
Fans of the event said the dogs look silly, but they were also very impressive.
“I like the gathering. It is a big event. A lot of people from all over come and join us. And then, seeing the dogs actually surf is really a funny thing to watch. And they’re really good surfers,” said Patrick Sayres of Pacifica.
The event at the beach also had mobile pet adoptions, a dog costume contest and “yappy hour” for drinks.
Other news outlets called the event “whimsical,” “delightful,” “just what we need,” with august Reuters declaring, “Surfing has officially gone to the dogs.”
How does that make the aforementioned Zeke Lau or BettyLou Sakura feel?
World Surf League CEO Erik Logan?
While I can’t say for certain, I’d have to guess speciesist.
Sad.