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Hanging Ten With Man’s Best Friend

André “A.K.” Crump founded the World Dog Surfing Championships.

Two dogs, one sporting a red life vest and one in a green life vest and reflective goggles, catch a wave on side-by-side surf boards.
Two contestants from the 2019 World Dog Surfing Championships catch a wave.Image: Courtesy of TasteTV and Jack Owicki

By Paulina Freedman
Winter 2025
People

Each summer, thousands of canine lovers line the shore of Linda Mar Beach outside San Francisco to watch the world’s best four-legged surfers catch some waves at the annual World Dog Surfing Championships (formerly the Small Wave Surf Dog Competition).

Founded by André “A.K.” Crump ’91 MBA, the first event was held in San Diego in 2006. Crump later launched the world championships. Dogs compete in four size categories and are awarded points based on technique, confidence and style. “It’s very satisfying to see a sport that I created from scratch become this popular,” says Crump, founder and CEO of media company TasteTV. He and his wife, Stephanie Green Crump ’91 MBA, are the parents of twin daughters, including Anise Crump ’22. 

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