Event Competitions:
Big Air is the most popular discipline, as this is what most people think of when they hear the term dock diving. In Big Air, the dog runs down the dock and jumps out for a toy that has been thrown into or out over the water. The measurement is taken at the point at which the base of the dog's tail (where it meets the body) hits the water. With 90 seconds to execute each jump, the team is given two jumps in each wave with the longer of the jumps being their official score for that wave.
Divisions
Novice NJ 0 – 9’11”
Junior JJ 10’ – 14’11”
Senior SJ 15’ – 19’11”
Master MJ 20’ – 22’11”
Elite EJ 23’ – 24’11”
Super Elite SEJ 25’+
Extreme Vertical is an exciting discipline that has the dog jumping up to grab a bumper. In Extreme Vertical, a Dock Dogs bumper is suspended from an extender 8 ft. out from the dock and at heights ranging from 4'6" up to as high as a dog can jump. (The current record is 8 ft.) The bumper is moved up in increments as the participating dogs execute the jumps.
The dog begins his run anywhere in front of the 20 ft. line on the dock and has 60 seconds to complete each jump. The bumper must be either snatched cleanly or completely knocked down into the water by the dog in order for the jump to count. Each dog has 2 chances to grab the bumper.
Divisions:
Cadet EV-C--4'6"-5'11"
Top Gun EV-TG--6' and up
Speed Retrieve is the newest of the dock diving disciplines and isquite exciting. A Dead Fowl Trainer (DFT) is hung at the end of the pool (or 38' from the dock in a body of water). The dog is set by the handler at the 20 ft. mark on the dock. When the signal is given, the timer starts and the dog is released. The dog runs down the dock, jumps into the water, and swims down to the DFT. When the dog grabs the DFT and pulls it down, the timer stops
If the dog begins his run and crosses the 20 ft. line before the signal is given, it is considered a false start and the run does not count. The handler has 90 seconds to execute the run. Each team is given two runs in each heat with the faster of the two runs being the official score for that heat.
Divisions
Sonic SR-S--5.99 seconds and under
Turbo SR-T--6.00-7.99 seconds
Express SR-E--8.00 seconds and up
