About Daytona Dog Beach, Inc
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Daytona Dog Beach, Inc. is a volunteer-led 501(c)(3) founded in 2021 by Nanette McKeel Petrella. We team up with community partners to champion clean, safe, welcoming beaches where dogs and people can enjoy the shore together—while respecting beach rules, wildlife, and one another.
We also support education, training, and fun activities that encourage responsible dog ownership and happy, well-mannered pups. Our goal is simple: make dog-friendly beaches a community effort that works for dog lovers and non-dog lovers alike.
In 2025, Volusia County Animal Services invited us to help bring a dog-surfing event to Daytona Beach. That invitation sparked a new chapter for Hang 8. With the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach as host, Hang 8 made its Daytona Beach debut on May 31, 2026, presented by Daytona Dog Beach, Inc. in partnership with Volusia County Animal Services.
The expanded Extravaganza brought the beach to life with dog-surfing competitions, a Surfing Village, costume and kissing contests, live entertainment, an After-Pawty, and a heartfelt memorial honoring Wednesday and other beloved surfing dogs who have passed on.
From Eric and Wednesday’s first Flagler Beach event in 2022 to Hang 8’s Daytona Beach debut, this has become more than a competition. It’s a joyful celebration of community, canine companionship, and unforgettable days in the sand and surf.
Hang 8: A Beachside Legacy
Hang 8 began on May 21, 2022, in Flagler Beach, when Eric Cooley and his beloved dog, Wednesday, helped launch a one-of-a-kind celebration of dogs, surf, and community. Wednesday became Hang 8’s official mascot and the heart of an event that brought surfers, families, and animal lovers together for a joyful day by the water.
As Hang 8 grew, so did the fun: dog surfing, contests, entertainment, vendors, and plenty of chances to celebrate the bond between people and their pets. Wednesday remained its beloved four-legged face until her passing in November 2025. Her spirit lives on in every wave, wag, and gathering she helped inspire.
In 2026, Nanette McKeel Petrella, Founder and President of Daytona Dog Beach, Inc., saw a chance to bring Hang 8 to a new stretch of sand. In partnership with Volusia County Animal Services, Daytona Dog Beach, Inc. worked with Eric to welcome the event to Daytona Beach.
On May 31, 2026, Hang 8 made its Daytona Beach debut at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach. The big day brought dog surfing competitions, a Surfing Village, costume and kissing contests, live entertainment, an After-Pawty, and a heartfelt memorial honoring Wednesday and other surfing dogs who have passed on.
From its Flagler Beach beginnings to its Daytona Beach debut, Hang 8 is more than a competition—it’s a beachside celebration of canine companionship, community, and the pure joy of sharing the sand and surf with our dogs.
The Word Is Out On "DOGS OF DAYTONA"
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