Goat surfers appeal to learners - 22nd September 2023

Surfing's growing in popularity around the world, but in California, the US, it's a tiny black goat called Chupacabrah who's showing first timers just how to ride the waves.

It was while searching online for surf lessons that Kimberly Van Donsel observed the adventures of Chupacabrah.

Kimberly Van Donsel: "We saw it on the internet when we were searching because we wanted surf lessons and it just sounded so much fun. And we're used to working in agriculture. And I've honestly never seen goats surfing before. So yeah, and I raised goats for many years. So it's kind of a cool way to use them."

Surf instructor Dana McGregor came up with the idea of getting goats to hit the waves, and it's earned him the title the 'Goatfather'.

Dana McGregor: "You know, I think giving something or someone an experience that they've never had before is is pretty, is pretty powerful to me. And it's kind of what I live for, you know. It's because I love surfing so much, I, I love giving people or animals the opportunity to do something they've never done before."

After acquiring a goat to keep the weeds down in his backyard, McGregor and his first animal - 'Goatee' - became inseparable, and so he decided to share his passion for surfing with his companion. It turned out that Goatee had natural skills on the surfboard, and when he experimented with other goats, he realised they were equally happy on the water.

Dana McGregor: "Yeah, they're pretty, pretty amazing out there. They can just kind of. You know they got those hooves that just, yeah, cling to the board. Yeah, they got great balance.

Once McGregor started uploading their adventures on social media, a brand new business venture was born. The Surf Goat Day packages include a surf lesson, board rental and a surf ride together with a goat.

For tourist Elizabeth French, it was a very memorable experience.

Elizabeth French: "I think it kind of does bring a little bit of like, if the goat can do it, I can do it too! And don't dump the goat. So, I don't know, it was just a lot of fun, and something I would totally want everybody to experience."

First-time surfer Rebekah Abern was instantly aware that she was dealing with an experienced surfer, judging from the way it balanced so professionally on the board! She couldn't help comparing herself to the goat surfer.

Rebekah Abern: "The goat surfed way better than I did. Yeah, she was all about it. She had the positioning and you could tell she'd done it before."