German, 52, an ocean enthusiast and environmental activist, said he spotted the sunfish, also known as Mola mola, while he was paddling with his friend Matt Wheaton on Dec. 2) German, of Laguna Beach, founded the nonprofit Project O to preserve the ocean and the life within it.

I never planned to raise a surf dog, but she had been in a kids’ pool at eight weeks old and showed great balance on a boogie board. Surf dog contests were becoming popular in southern California and someone suggested she take part in one, at Ocean Beach in San Diego.