Dockdogs fly high in Virginia Beach

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - Dozens of dogs flew through the air and hit the water, Sunday. It was all to earn an invitation to the Dockdogs World Championship in Iowa in November.

Shipp's Corner Pet Spa & Resort hosted the event in Virginia Beach. In addition to the diving competition, there was a special Costume Contest. This year's winner was Steve Spink and his dog named Cash, who for Sunday transformed into Cassius Clay, wearing a victory belt and boxing gloves.

"It's always a surprise to win because there's such tough competition, but I knew my boy was a champion and when I brought him in I expected to walk away with the crown," said Spink

"It's very, very addicting. Everyone starts off in this sport, 'Oh I just want to have fun and I'm just going to throw the toy in the water and then they get really competitive.' Their dog improves and they do really well," said Ashley Rogers, a Dockdogs trainer.

The top two qualifiers from all events in each division get a world invite while the winner of the costume competition won a prize package worth $250.