A POPULAR dog surfing contest makes a "bigger and better" return to a Poole beach this month.

The UK Dog Surfing Championship is set to ride the waves onto Branksome Dene Chine beach with 30 dogs competing to win. 

The event will be taking place on Saturday, 23 July between 10am and 10pm. 

The fourth annual Dog Masters Festival is now an all-day event that extends into the evening with a full programme of live music and sundown entertainment.

The Dogs Masters Festival is a tandem race with dogs and their owners together on paddleboards.

Event organiser Mark Reeves from Shaka Surf, a local surf and paddleboard school, said: "It's barking brilliant fun for all the family."

READ MORE: Paws on Board is Trader of the Week

Bournemouth Echo: Dogmasters to return to Branksome Dene beach in July 2022Dogmasters to return to Branksome Dene beach in July 2022

"We're really excited because after three years undefeated reigning champions James Clarke and his beagle Bear have announced their retirement, so we'll have to crown a new top dog."

Notable entrants include Jason the cockerpoo who learned to paddleboard to conquer his separation anxiety, Nixon the parson russell whose owner Mark Lewis is a famous fitness YouTuber, Scout the border collie who comes all the way from Ireland to take part, and Harper the black lab whose owner Simon insists on wearing a Scooby-Doo outfit.

Last year's runner up and firm fan favourite, Chuck Norris the parson russell has been in training.

The festival boasts a host of new features including a dog show with dog behaviourist Paws On Board, the Mutts Market, Shaka Surf Street Market, Shaka Street Food Fair and the Puppy Pad Kids Zone.

READ MORE: Dog surfing championship to return to Branksome Dene beach

Bournemouth Echo: Dogmasters to return to Branksome Dene beach in July 2022Dogmasters to return to Branksome Dene beach in July 2022

And the fun continues into the evening with the Sunset Sessions headlined by The Marley Experience, the world's top Bob Marley tribute.

Mark added: "Dog Masters is more bonkers than ever."

"We can promise dogs in Hawaiian shirts, kids on bungee swings, the best surf and pooch gear, beers and burgers on the beach, our comperes Martyn the Hat and Kev Scott from Hot Radio are hilarious and we've got the coolest live music bill as the sun goes down."

For ticket information, search Dogmasters at ticketsource.co.uk or visit shakasurf.co.uk/uk-dog-surfing-champs for more.