Animals & Environment
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14 Aug 2026
A dog rides a wave during the World Canine Surfing Championship, Saturday, August 1, 2026, in Pacifica, California. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)
The World Dog Surfing Championship: Canines Catch Waves for Charity
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
WARM UP
Think Ahead: Which detail do you think appears in this story?
a) Dogs wear life vests and ride surfboards.
b) Dogs race each other on bicycles.
c) Dogs swim underwater to find treasure.
Ask:
(1) Have you ever seen a dog swim in water?
(2) What sports do you think animals can play?
VOCABULARY
ocean
(/ˈəʊ.ʃən/, noun)
wave
(/weɪv/, noun)
surfboard
(/ˈsɜːf.bɔːd/, noun)
life vest
(/laɪf vest/, noun)
champion
(/ˈtʃæm.pi.ən/, noun)
crowd
(/kraʊd/, noun)
A very large area of salt water.
Example: Many fish live in the deep ocean.
A moving line of water on the sea.
Example: The big wave moved towards the beach.
A long narrow board used for riding waves.
Example: He put his feet on the surfboard.
A special jacket that helps you float in water.
Example: The dog wears a bright red life vest.
A winner of a sports game or competition.
Example: The clever dog became the new champion.
A large group of people together.
Example: A big crowd watched the fun event.
Dogs love to run and play in the park. However, some special dogs love the sea! Every year, people go to California to watch an amazing event. It is called the World Dog Surfing Championship.
Many brave dogs travel to the beach with their owners. Each dog wears a colourful life vest to stay safe in the water. The dogs stand on a wooden or plastic surfboard. They ride big water waves towards the sand. Some dogs surf alone, while other dogs surf together with a friend!
Judges look at the dogs from the beach. They check how long the dogs can stand up. They also look at how happy and confident the dogs look. The dog that rides the best wave becomes the champion.
Many happy people stand in the crowd and cheer. This fun contest also raises money for homeless animals. It is a wonderful day in the blue ocean for everyone!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Do you think dogs enjoy swimming in the sea?
2. Would you like to watch a dog surfing contest?
3. What safety gear should pets wear in water?
4. How can people help homeless animals in their town?
5. Which animal do you think would be good at surfing?
FILL IN THE GAPS
FILL THE GAPS
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
Word Bank: champion, life vest, ocean, surfboard
Dogs love to run and play in the park. However, some special dogs love the sea! Every year, people go to California to watch an amazing event. It is called the World Dog Surfing Championship.
Many brave dogs travel to the beach with their owners. Each dog wears a colourful _______(1) to stay safe in the water. The dogs stand on a wooden or plastic _______(2). They ride big water waves towards the sand. Some dogs surf alone, while other dogs surf together with a friend!
Judges look at the dogs from the beach. They check how long the dogs can stand up. They also look at how happy and confident the dogs look. The dog that rides the best wave becomes the _______(3).
Many happy people stand in the crowd and cheer. This fun contest also raises money for homeless animals. It is a wonderful day in the blue _______(4) for everyone!
Section 2: Main Idea
Choose the main idea of the article:
a) Dogs learn how to swim in a pool.
b) Dogs compete in a surfing championship on ocean waves.
c) Owners buy new life vests for their pets.
UNDERSTANDING
Section 3: True or False
1. The dog surfing event takes place every year in California. T/F
2. Dogs must surf without wearing any safety gear. T/F
3. The competition helps raise money for homeless animals. T/F
Section 4: Put Events in Order
Put these events in the correct order (1-3):
a) The judges watch the dogs and pick a champion.
b) Dogs put on colourful life vests with their owners.
c) Dogs ride the ocean waves towards the sand on surfboards.
LANGUAGE
Section 5: Vocab Match
1. brave
2. colourful
3. confident
4. contest
5. homeless
a) having bright or many different colours
b) without a place to live
c) feeling sure about your own abilities
d) showing no fear in difficult situations
e) an event where people or animals try to win
USE IT
Section 6: Discussion Builder
1. The dogs look very confident when they ride the _______ towards the beach.
a) mountain
b) wave
c) tree
2. Many owners buy a special vest so their dog can float in the _______.
a) water
b) garden
c) kitchen
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
1. Unscramble the sentence parts:
A) stand on
B) The brave dogs
C) near the beach
D) the long surfboards
E) very quietly
2. Unscramble the sentence parts:
A) cheer loudly
B) Many happy people
C) when the dogs
D) ride big waves
E) from the sand
ANSWER KEY
Warm Up Answer:
a) Dogs wear life vests and ride surfboards.
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
1. life vest 2. surfboard 3. champion 4. ocean
Section 2: Main Idea
b) Dogs compete in a surfing championship on ocean waves.
Section 3: True or False
1. True 2. False 3.True
Section 4: Put Events in Order
1. b 2.c 3.a
Section 5: Vocab Match
1. d, 2.a, 3.c, 4.e, 5.b
Section 6: Discussion Builder
1. b, 2. a
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
1. B - A - D - C - E (The brave dogs stand on the long surfboards near the beach very quietly.)
2. B - A - C - D - E (Many happy people cheer loudly when the dogs ride big waves from the sand.)
Section 8: Discussion Questions
Student answers will vary.
Thank you for your feedback!