Dock Diving Dog Competition Promises to Make a Splash In Cumming

This weekend a national Dock Diving Dog competition is taking place here in Cumming, at on Bethelview Road. Dixie Dock Dogs, a non-profit organization benefiting various canine charities, is producing this thrilling event which features nationally ranked dogs jumping great lengths into a pool of water.

Scott Rucker, owner of, is very excited about sponsoring the upcoming competition, Rucker Jump Into Summer.

"This is our first dock diving event here in Cumming, the first DockDogs event in this part of Atlanta. We're sure it will be a huge success…something for the entire family," said Rucker.

According to Dixie Dock Dogs President, Bill Akin, a regulation 40' dock and 40' x 12' pool of water is on Rucker's property. Dogs from all over the country will come to compete in the three sporting disciplines of DockDogs: Big Air, which measures the length of their jump, Extreme Vertical, which measures the height, and Speed Retrieve, which measures how fast they run, jump and swim.

"It's an awesome sport," said Akin. "Our Dixie Dock Dogs teams have been to DockDogs competitions from Alabama to Iowa to Ohio to Maryland to Florida, and all stops in-between. We are so excited now to share this sport with the Atlanta community."

It is estimated that more than 100 dogs will compete during the weekend event. All breeds and sizes are invited to try it out, and there will be coaches available to guide new participants.  

Online registration is closed for this event, but you can still register on-site, on a first come, first served basis.

Weekend Schedule Is As Follows:

Saturday, April 16
On-site Registration/ Practice - 8:00 am
Big Air WAVE Competition # 3 - 9:00 am
Big Air WAVE Competition # 4 - 10:30 am
Big Air WAVE Competition # 5 - 12:00 pm
Big Air WAVE Competition # 6 - 2:00 pm
Speed Retrieve Competition # 2 - 4:30 pm

Sunday, April 17
On-site Registration/ Practice - 9:00 am
Extreme Vertical Competition - 10:00 am
Big Air WAVE Competition # 7 - 12:00 pm
Speed Retrieve Finals - 1:30 pm
Big Air Finals - 3:00 pm (Divisional format)

For more information on the event, visit DixieDockDogs.com. You can also contact Nancy Akin at 706-540-9395 or Bill Akin at 706-540-6539.