The Chattanooga Chomp Flyball Club is hosting their first annual charity flyball tournament Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 5-6, at Play Dog Excellent, 4113 Dayton Blvd., in Red Bank.
The Bi-Polar Xpress Tournament will benefit the Humane Educational Society of Chattanooga and is sanctioned by the North American Flyball Association.
Twenty-one teams from across the South, including Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia, will compete, showcasing dogs of all breeds and speeds.
Nicknamed "the rock 'n roll of dog sports," flyball is a relay race with 4 dogs to a team. The course consists of a laser timed starting line, 4 hurdles spaced 10 feet apart and a spring loaded box. To start a heat, entry to the course is made at a full run timed to a sequence of lights, similar to a drag race. The dogs leap the hurdles and perform a turn on the box, releasing a tennis ball. After catching the ball each dog must return over the hurdles and exit the course with the ball in their mouth as the next dog crosses the start line. Races are run in pairs of teams and are laser timed to 1/1000th of a second.
The event will be held from 8 a.m. to approximately 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.
Admission is free and public spectators are welcome, however, spectators are asked to leave their pets at home as they can sometimes be overwhelmed by the atmosphere.
Donations will be accepted for the Humane Educational Society of Chattanooga and multiple raffles for goods and cash will be held. A chili bar will be set up Saturday for $5 per bowl during lunchtime.
Please send any inquiries or questions to ChattanoogaChomp@gmail.com.