Skate Dog NC: Dogs, Boards, and a Whole Lot of Tail Wags
What do you get when you mix dogs, skateboards, and sunshine (well… partial sunshine)? Skate Dog NC, of course!
This past weekend, I had the chance to photograph the Skate Dog competition at CB Skate Park in Carolina Beach. It was a tail-wagging good time with pups of all ages and skill levels showing off their moves—or at least, giving it their best shot.
I was invited by Jay, the event producer, who you may know from the Surf Dog competitions held twice a year. (If you haven't been to one, it’s worth adding to your summer bucket list.) Since I enjoyed watching last year’s surf event so much, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. Bonus? My friend and fellow dog photographer, Bre from The Photo District, joined me! She’s based in Wilmington, so it was the perfect opportunity for both of us to connect with local dog lovers.
The Competition Rundown 🐶🛹
Some dogs were pros. Others… well, let’s just say they preferred the treat tent to the skate ramp. But every single one of them brought the charm.
🥇 First Place: Emmitt, the 8-year-old tripod Frenchie, stole the show with his smooth roll and veteran status. He’s been skating since he was a pup, and let me tell you—he still shreds.
🥈 Second Place: Maverick the Bulldog made his second competition appearance. He hopped on the board like a champ—but let’s be real, he was mostly in it for the snacks.
🥉 Third Place: Shrimp, my friend Cierra’s tiny but mighty foster fail, clocked in at just a few months old and already had the crowd cheering. We stuck around after the event to grab some extra shots of this rising star striking a pose on his board.
A Day Full of Community & Canine Vibes
The event drew a great crowd of dog-loving folks—some just came to cheer, others brought their pups to try out the board. There were local vendors, lots of smiles, and plenty of happy tail wags. The clouds rolled in by mid-day, but thankfully, it stayed cool enough for the dogs to stay comfortable.
I love events like this because they’re such a fun way to celebrate dogs just being dogs—silly, curious, talented, and full of personality.
All the amazing vendors!
Big shoutout to all the sponsors and partners who made this event possible:
Presented by: Tama Tea
Official Skate Shop: Aussie Island Surf Shop
Official Vet Onsite: Pine Valley Animal Hospital
Official Judge: The Dog House Daycare & Boarding
Dog Trainers Onsite: Crystal Coast Canine and Ridgeside K9 NC
Entertainment & Support From: Aunt Kerry’s Pet Stop, Diamond, Unleashed, Spindrift, Hollywood Feed, Flaming Amy’s Burrito Barn, and more!
Oh—and 100% of the $40 registration fee went directly to Freedom Bridge Animal Rescue, which makes this event a win-win for pups and people alike.
Planning for the Next One?
If you missed it, don’t worry—Skate Dog is an annual event, and we’re already counting down to the next one. You can learn more at skatedognc.com.
In the meantime, if your pup has a talent (or just a big personality), I’d love to photograph them—on a board, on the beach, or just in their element.
📸 Book your session with Crystal Coast Dog Photography and let’s turn your dog’s energy into artwork that makes you smile every single day.