World News for Students of English

24-07-2014 07:00

Four legged dudes and dudettes. A crowd of surfing enthusiasts entered their pets into a one-of-a-kind surfing competition in California. Dogs of all shapes, sizes and breeds jumped on boards to see who could ride the waves the most effectively. First prize for large dogs went to Hanzo of Hollywood.

“He is the current defending champion. Last year he won all three competitions of the tandem heat, and this year he won the large dog heat and also the tandem heat, first place. He loves what he does, and people really see that he really loves to surf.”

Owners were keen to stress that the dogs were really enjoying what they were doing.

“It’s hard to say it’s cruel. Some dogs may like it, some may not. The key is knowing what your dog likes. It’s a great bonding experience, and if she didn’t like it she wouldn’t be out here putting up with it, she’d run away, she would hide, she’d stray away.”

Hundreds watched the event on Imperial Beach with some owners even dressing up their pets up like characters, such as the Muppets.

Difficult words: dude (boy), dudette (girl), enthusiast (somebody who loves doing something), tandem heat (round when man and dog compete together against another pair), keen (willing), bonding (it establishes relationship), stray (walk).

Source: www.itn.co.uk

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