Super-canine feats of athleticism and agility will be on display next weekend as a newly formed club holds its very first event on the waters of Lake Bomoseen.
The Green Mountain Dockdogs will host a “dock-diving fun jump” beginning at noon on Sunday, May 20, at the Lake House Pub and Grill in Castleton.
The event will feature up to 40 dogs in six divisions leaping off docks into the lake.
“It’s a big air event. Basically, you throw something in the water and the dog runs off the end of the dock and you see how far they can jump,” said April Jamieson, a member of the group.
The Green Mountain Dockdogs is affiliated with Dockdogs, a world-wide canine aquatics competition that includes several different events, such as Big Air, Vertical Challenge, Iron Dog and Speed Retrieval.
Organizers bill the activity as “the fastest-growing sport on four legs,” and events are held throughout the country. Locally, competitions have been held in Killington.
Jamieson said the Green Mountain club was formed at the beginning of the year and includes about 25 members.
This will be their first official event.
“People don’t know much about it. We’re trying to make it an informative session,” said Jamieson, who owns a German short haired pointer and will participate in a sanctioned event for the first time. “And we’re hoping it will be a big membership drive for the club as well.”
The event is open to anyone with a dog who is at least six months old, whether they’re experienced or not.
“You don’t need to have to champion dog to be involved in the sport,” Jamieson said. “Everyone is welcome to try it out.”
About Big Air
The Big Air event is judged on the distance the dog travels in the air from the end of the dock. Distance is determined by measuring the distance from the end of the dock to where the tail breaks the water.
The event is split into six different levels or divisions, based on the dogs’ ability. Dogs which have little experience, or cannot jump great distances, are entered into one of the lower levels, while more experienced or proficient dogs are entered at more competitive levels.
Jamieson said they expect to have several experienced dogs, some of which will demonstrate the sport at a high level.
And while next weekend’s event will be limited to Big Air, there will be demonstrations and explanations of other Dockdogs events.
Those who aren’t prepared to enter their dog into the event are encouraged to attend as spectators.
“The docks will be turned parallel to the porch so you’ll get a great view of the dogs running down the length of the dock,” said Jamieson.
The Lake House Pub and Grill will be open and have refreshments and food available for purchase.
Anyone who would to enter the event, can register beginning at 11 a.m. The jumps will begin at noon. The event is limited to the first 40 dogs to register.
For more information, send an email to [email protected] or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GreenMountainDockDogs.
