Lovers Leap

: February 19th – 21st, 2016; Hampton, VA. World of Pets Expo proudly sponsors 3 days of jumping, flying, splashing, swimming canines and YOUR DOG CAN DO IT TOO! Hampton Convention Center will be the site of Tidewater DockDogs Dock Jumping competition during the World of Pets Expo, with three days of exciting competition. Sure to provide great spectator appeal during the event, handler and dog teams will compete for cash, ribbons and prizes. Friday through Sunday, February 19th – 21st, 2016. Tidewater DockDogs dock diving events dazzle spectators with high-flying canine athleticism and put on a show like no other. A variety of competitions are held throughout each day where dogs compete in Big Air, Extreme Vertical, Speed Retrieve, and Iron Dog! This event at the World of Pets Expo will be full of fun! Spectators will have the opportunity to cheer on all levels of teams, from new to experienced, as they splashdown into the big blue swimming pool. Mid-Atlantic Professional DockDogs teams (including finalists at the 2015 DockDogs World Championship) will be participating in the weekend’s events, with several dogs providing their pawtographs cards throughout the weekend. As a special treat, Tidewater DockDogs is offering two waves of the fan favorite, Extreme Vertical. This high jump event is normally only offered once per weekend and is key event for the coveted Iron Dog title. Since this event is normally only offered once, multiple handler teams must choose which handler will compete in Extreme Vertical and Iron Dog. By offering two waves of Extreme Vertical, the Iron Dog title can be pursued by multiple handlers with the same dog. This means the Iron Dog title field is wide open! Dog owners are invited to bring any dog over the age of 6 months that loves the water and enjoys playing fetch—regardless of breed, size, shape, or ability. All dogs are welcome, and those new to the sport can introduce their dogs to this fast- growing sport, and get tips on coaching and encouraging their pooches from Tidewater DockDogs members. Big Air is the long jump equivalent for canine athletes. At speeds over 20 mph, Big Air dogs catapult off the end of a 40-foot dock into a 28,000-gallon pool to retrieve a floatable object, like their favorite toy. Jump distances are measured from the end of the dock to where the base of the dog’s tail breaks the water. Extreme Vertical is a high jump contest in which the dog launches upward in order to knock down a bumper suspended over the water. Runs are shorter, and speed is reduced in order to achieve maximum height about 8 feet from the dock. Speed Retrieve is a sport where teams race against the clock. Each competing dog runs, jumps, swims, and retrieves an object located on an extender at the end of the pool, at a distance of 58 feet from the starting block on the dock. Iron Dog is a cumulative event for teams that compete in Big Air, Speed Retrieve, and Extreme Vertical. Each team’s best score from each event is converted to a points value and scored based on the total points. EVENT WAVE TIMES Each team will receive two official competition jumps per Wave and practice opportunities during open dock throughout the weekend. EVENT SCHEDULE: Friday 19th (Registration opens 12:00pm) Practice/Open Dock 12:00pm – 1:15pm Big Air Wave # 1 – 02:00 pm Big Air Wave # 2 – 03:30 pm Extreme Vertical #1 – 05:00 pm Saturday 20th (Registration opens 8:00am) Practice/Open Dock 8:00am – 8:30am Big Air Wave # 3 – 09:00 am Big Air Wave # 4 – 11:00 am Big Air Wave # 5 – 01:00 pm Big Air Wave # 6 – 03:00 pm Extreme Vertical #2 – 05:00 pm Sunday 21st (Registration opens 8:00am) Big Air Wave # 7 – 11:00 am Big Air Wave # 8 – 01:00 pm Speed Retrieve (All in one Finals) – 09:00 am Big Air Finals – 3:30 pm (Divisional Finals Format) Tidewater DockDogs Registration and Costs Online registration in advance is encouraged and is discounted. Fee is $27 in advance and $30 on site per Big Air Wave. Cash or credit card will be accepted for entry fees on site. Dogs must be attended and on a leash at all times, except while competing on the dock. No retractable leashes. No females in heat allowed within Tidewater DockDogs arena. For more information on what to bring to a competition, rules and policies, and registration visit www.tidewaterdockdogs.com. For complete DockDog® rules and policies, on-line registration, and additional details on Tidewater DockDogs at the World of Pets Expo event, visit www.tidewaterdockdogs.com. Formed in 2009, Tidewater DockDogs is the Tidewater Region affiliate chapter of DockDogs® of Medina,Ohio, the independent governing and sanctioning body for regional, national and international dock jumping performance sports. DockDogs® establishes the rules and standards of the sport, tracks results and records, and supports and promotes the growth of its athletes, events, spectators, and sponsors. Tidewater DockDogs provides support and encouragement to dock diving teams in the Tidewater area of Virginia.