05/26/2026
**From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.**
We know that in today’s economy, every entry, every trip, and every event weekend is a choice. Your support means more to us than we can truly express. When you pre-register, show up, compete, cheer, shop with vendors, support food trucks, purchase photos, and participate in the extras we’re able to offer, you are helping keep this sport moving forward.
Pre-registration matters more than many people realize. Food trucks, vendors, photographers, AKC judges, and event partners often ask us first:
“How many competitors are pre-registered?”
“How many people do you expect?”
“What is your usual day-of traffic?”
Those numbers help us plan responsibly. Those numbers help ALL facilities plan responsibly. They help vendors decide whether they can attend. They help us schedule staff, judges, ribbons, awards, extras, and special opportunities for competitors. When numbers are uncertain, it becomes much harder to continue offering the event experience we all enjoy. You have been amazing to us this year pre-registering and showing up.
We also recognize that DARK K9 does not exist in a bubble. For us to succeed, the sport has to succeed. North America Diving Dogs - NADD has to succeed. Fellow facilities, mobile docks, vendors, judges, photographers, and competitors all play a part in keeping this community strong.
It is difficult to see events canceled because of low pre-registration or to hear about facilities and docks closing. Most facilities truly want to grow, improve, and offer more for competitors, but that requires consistent support and dependable numbers.
Your pre-registration and your follow-through make a real difference. They help us build trust with vendors and partners, make better investments, and continue improving the experience for everyone.
Most importantly, we believe there is room for all of us to succeed. One facility’s success does not depend on another facility failing. Many of us work together each year to schedule thoughtfully, support the sport, and give competitors as many opportunities as possible.
To every competitor, spectator, vendor, judge, staff, photographer, and supporter who continues to show up: thank you. We are deeply grateful, and we do not take your support for granted.
