Dock and Disc at FLK9 Sports
- Rob Robinson
- May 28
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 2
UpDog and UDD dock diving at Florida K9 sports
Photo-Feature United Dock Diving at Florida K9 Sports Myakka City, FL. May 24-25, 2025
A packed weekend of fun games at Florida K9 sports. With Ultimate Dock Diving (UDD) and UpDog Challenge - disc dog - games. The special Memorial Day weekend offered free entrance to games for all active duty and veterans to show their support of the men and women of our armed forces.
Dock diving included Long Jump, Hang Time and Speed Run. Over on the UpDog Challenge, Sunday morning offered a series of accuracy disc dog games. There were plenty of fun activities for players new and experienced.
As always, the tents and amenities provided plenty of water and shade for everyone.
Both events moved along swiftly and were completed in the early afternoon and before the heat became too extreme.
Dock Diving
Dock Diving may be one the the U.S.A. most original sports. Although international interest is growing, this is a dog sport born in rural America and first seen by the general public as an oddity on old cable hunting and fishing channels as a novel story piece to break up endless discussions on best camouflaged and newest lures. Since then a few "official" leagues have merged and standardized the game.
When once the docks were actual docks and the dogs were jumping into ponds, todays Dock Diving it typically a forty foot dock and forty foot long by five foot deep pool.
Ever evolving efforts have been made to ensure safety for the dogs competing and some standard of measures to allow for fair competition between various dogs. Every league has their own standards and it is a widely debated topic.
Updog Challenge
Disc dog games go back to the 1970s and there are have been several leagues that rely heavily on the handlers disc throwing skills. The UpDog Challenge was created in 2014. It was founded by a group of disc dog competitors who wanted to make the sport more accessible to new players with different rules. The American Kennel Club (AKC) now recognizes titles for achievements in UpDog Challenge disc dog events.
Please remember these events are fun first, the competition is just to keep you striving to improve.
UpDog Challenge games range from traditional toss and fetch to hybrid agility and disc games. Safety of the dog is highly promoted in UpDog Challenge events with restrictions on the age of dogs competing, safety of equipment used and general behaviour of handlers.
It is not required that you throw the disc in UpDog Challenge as "rollers" are permitted which is a great option for those not experienced disc throwers. Additionally there are no age restrictions on handlers and we have seen them as young as 8 years old. The league is very open to accommodating those with special needs like wheelchairs.
Florida K9 Sports
Mobile Dock
RV: Dry camping only.
ADA Porta Potty
“Our goal at Florida K9 Sports is to ensure a safe, fun environment and experience for handler and dog.”
Deep in rural Florida sits Florida K9 Sports. Owner Jay Nichols moved his mobile dock and operations in 2021 from Montana to Myakka City, Florida. The location is several acres tucked in beside a blueberry farm and with sparse woods, provides a flat open field of big skies. Jay’s background in dog handling and training has been mostly with search and rescue and bomb detection dogs. Dock diving has been a great change of pace and opportunity to provide his dogs with additional challenges while having a fun time.
This 5-acre plot is both home and business to Jay and Wendy Nichols and their own dogs. Jay is actively pursuing a solution to offer wheelchair access to the dock, and we will be watching for this exciting development. There is no specific disabled parking, but parking and easy access is plentiful. There are no RV hookups and there is room for “dry” camping on site.
The venue added UpDog Challenge (Disc Dog games) in 2024. A large area has been nurtured to provide a fenced in area for Updog disc dog games. Games can be traditional distance throw and catch or hybrid agility and disc games.
This day the games were various accuracy games with the disc being aimed at specific zones on the painted field for points. Updog judge Landon Shoenberger explained each game for the teams and guided the newcomers through each challenge.
Wrapping Up
Dock diving provides a great exception and with numerous locations throughout the state and many now embracing the Hero Dogz program to provide special attention to the disabled, 1st responders and military veterans.
UpDog and dock diving are fast growing to be a primary games for the lives of both dogs and humans. .
The folks at Florida K9 Sports are heavily connected to the services and have first hand shared experiences that makes this a great opportunity to come get wet with your own Bad Azz Dogz.
HERO DOGZ
More information for disabled 1st responder and military veterans.
Do your dog a huge favor and take them somewhere new!
Our core mission here at Bad Azz Dogz is about his simple idea. Helping disabled 1st responders and military veterans with dogs have full active lives!
Jay Nichols has been on the frontline of Search and Rescue dogs for generations.
From the mountains and valleys of the northern plains to Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana.
One notable feature about Jay is his raw enthusiasm and boy like joy of meeting new dogs and introducing them to new things and activities. His word is that he will continue to work towards the benefit of all out dogs, but also stay proactive in providing access to support for our disabled 1st responder and military veterans with their dogs.
The facility has ample shade, water and is mostly level ground. The facility has a wheelchair accessible portable restroom.
Like most docks, the "dock" was not wheelchair accessible, and we continue to work with all the dock locations to hopefully remedy this in the future.
Location and Contact information is at the end of this article.
We hope to see you and your best furry friends out their this year.
If you have further inquires, please contact us at info@badazzdogz.net
PHOTO-FEATURE
Enjoy our very special photo-feature of some Bad Azz Dogz and their humans! SHARE your favorites and please contact us at info@badazzdogz.net if a vet or first responder wanting to learn more.
Dock and Disc Games at FLK9 - May 2025 https://dock-and-disc-games.badazzdogz.net/
CAUTION:
The Gallery is best viewed on a PC. The large file sizes and may burden any portable tablet or smart phone. ? [Need help downloading pictures] ?
More Information:
- United Dock Diving https://www.uniteddockdiving.com/
- UpDog Challenge
- Florida K9 Sports
43525 Florida 64
Myakka City, FL 34251
(406) 208-9633
As with all events Bad Azz Dogz features, it is the hope you will consider coming out into our amazing Florida Bad Azz Dogz world of fun and activities near you.
Bad Azz Dogz By Dogz 4 Dogz
entertain | educate | encourage
Photo-Journal of Hero Dogz
Hero Dogz is donation based to help all dogs and needs you to continue.
You can keep us going and growing for Florida's Bad Azz Pups from Litter to an active and loving life. This page is created and managed by a disabled vet and needs donations to continue and to help our Florida Dogs, Disabled Veterans & 1st Responders. Learn More
Bad Azz Dogz is only possible with your support
Please make donations via: https://www.badazzdogz.net/donate
OR Directly to PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/badazzdogz
Come join the Bad Azz Pack!
*Media and News inquiries should be sent to info@badazzdogz.net
Comments