Bark if you like to carve a gnarly tube, dude

When these surfer dudes say, "Wanna hang ten, dog?" they're not kidding.

The third annual Loews Coronado Bay Resort Surf Dog Competition drew nearly 60 canines of all shapes and sizes to Imperial Beach, Calif., last month. Competitors were seen riding the waves in swim trunks, Hawaiian leis, sunglasses, life vests and wet suits.

"The bottom line is surfing is all about balance," judge Teevan McManus told the San Diego Union-Tribune. "Dogs have four legs and therefore good balance."

Vendors' T-shirts included one with this slogan: "Surf Dogs Rule; Show Dogs Drool."

OK, you can stay

Team owner Chip Ganassi has shut down Dario Franchitti's NASCAR race team because of a lack of sponsorship.

Though, team members are quick to point out, they have no intention of revoking Ashley Judd's pit pass.

War of the Roses Dept.

According to an amateur historian's research, Capt. William McCracken Jr. — the last American soldier killed during the Revolutionary War — is buried in Cincinnati somewhere close to the spot where Pete Rose's record-breaking 4,192nd hit landed in 1985.

Added a Cincinnati Enquirer reader in an online comment: "Even Pete would think twice about betting on this one."

Soccer buffs first

In Spain — where a recent survey showed that 72 percent prefer soccer to sex — organizers of the annual International Erotic Film Festival in Barcelona complained that Spain's stirring run to the Euro 2008 title decimated their attendance.

Spanish soccer coaches, meanwhile, deftly declined to comment until after they've seen the films.

He just can't win

What, you think it's easy being A-Rod?

"Alex Rodriguez gave a teen cancer patient and his dad a ride to Yankee Stadium in his SUV Tuesday," noted comedian Argus Hamilton. "He brought them into the locker room and gave them bats, balls and jerseys.

"The next day the Boston newspapers ripped A-Rod for driving a gas guzzler."

Talko time

• Cam Hutchinson of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix, after an overwhelmed shuttle-bus service kept 400 Seattle Marathon runners from getting to the starting line on time: "Trust me, this would never happen if Rosie Ruiz was in charge of transportation."

• Times reader Bill Littlejohn, on how ageless wonder Dara Torres — who just qualified for a record fifth Olympics — learned to swim: "Noah threw her off the ark."

• Headline at SportsPickle.com: "Red Sox fan makes daring leap onto speeding Rays bandwagon."

• Times reader Janice Hough, on Alex Rodriguez opting out of the All-Star Home Run Derby: "Major League Baseball announced he will be replaced by Lenny Kravitz."

It was a no-hitter

Mets shortstop Jose Reyes, angry over comments by Keith Hernandez during last Sunday's Mets-Yankees telecast, had a "very heated" confrontation with the broadcaster aboard the team's charter plane that night, the New York Post reported.

Luckily, other Mets stepped in before the flight turned into a red-eye.

Sideline Chatter appears Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in The Seattle Times. Dwight Perry: 206-464-8250 or dperry@seattletimes.com