Dozens of canine surfers, their handlers, and thousands of spectators crowded Pacifica in San Francisco early this August. They were there for the World Dog Surfing Championships, which recently marked its fourth year.
Abbie Girl, a 13-year-old Australian Kelpie, may not have won the competition, but she has an inspiring story to tell. Michael Uy, the Kelpie’s fur dad, will forever be thankful for the rescue dog who also saved him.
In 2006, Michael was one of the many people who struggled during the recession. In that year alone, he lost his job, his house, and a relationship.
Wanting to find a sense of purpose in life and a reason to go on, Michael visited the Humane Society Silicon Valley to adopt a canine. There, he met Abbie, who had her own issues to deal with after being dumped on a highway.
She was a fearful dog, flinching at loud sounds and cowering from anything that moved too fast. Her fur dad decided that trips to the beach would help them get away from their problems for a while.
During one of their outings, the dog swam out to her fur dad instead of waiting for him on the shore. Michael then plopped the pooch on top of a board so she could rest. The owner of the board, seeing Abbie standing so confidently, remarked that the dog looked ready to surf.
Since he had nothing to lose anyway, the fur dad let Abbie ride a wave — and she didn’t even flinch or stumble. Afterward, the two of them took surfing lessons together, strengthening their bond in the process.
The Kelpie started competing in 2008, and she now has several medals on display at their home. One of her fur dad’s proudest moments, however, would probably be on October 18, 2011, when Abbie set a Guinness World Record for surfing the longest wave in open water.
The Kelpie and her dad don’t just surf, however. They also run on trails, go mountain biking and paragliding, as well as do CrossFit, among several other activities. Abbie and Michael lead active, fulfilling lives indeed!
Inspired by Abbie, Michael also established a company named Blue Tribe, which helps predict coastal disasters. The Kelpie is, of course, the firm’s Chief Happiness Officer. Watch Abbie and Michael’s heartwarming story here:
Source: KPIX CBS SF Bay Area on YouTube and abbiesurfs on Instagram
