Ultimate Air Dogs made a splash at Traverse City’s 2013 National Cherry Festival from July 4-6.
The canine dock jumping organization was founded in 2005 by former Detroit Tigers pitcher Milt Wilcox, wife Cathy Wilcox and son Brian Wilcox. There are now eight “Air Dogs” clubs across the U.S. and in Canada, from Michigan to Texas to Ontario.
Water-hungry canines ran 40 feet off the starting dock, chasing after toys thrown by their owners and soaring into a 22,000-gallon pool. “Ultimate Jumps” are considered to be 24 feet or greater, said Milt Wilcox, who is known for winning Game 3 of the 1984 World Series. The current dock jumping record of 29 feet 1 inch was set three years ago.