Most border collies are happy herding sheep or chasing tennis balls. Scuba had bigger dreams—and a human willing to help him achieve them. At just four years old, this fearless Queensland adventurer has become a JetSki sensation, bringing smiles and good vibes to waterways across the state. Now, he’s set to make waves at the 2026 Top Dog Film Festival, proving that some dogs are born for extraordinary jobs.
Scuba’s origin story nearly didn’t happen. His future human, Steve Hopwood, had almost given up searching for the perfect border collie after finding breeders scattered across Queensland. Then, in a twist of fate, he discovered a litter just five minutes from home. Amongst eight energetic puppies, one stood out with a personality that screamed adventure. That was Scuba—a pup destined for far more than the average backyard.
From the moment Steve chose him, Scuba’s career path was clear: this wasn’t going to be your typical family pet doing tricks for treats in the lounge room. This border collie was going to be a JetSki superstar.
What makes a great JetSki dog? According to Scuba’s résumé, it requires a very specific skill set. High energy—Scuba has it in spades. While some dogs are content with a stroll around the block, Scuba thrives on adrenaline-pumping aquatic adventures. Fearlessness is essential too. Whether it’s encountering wildlife in the bush or zooming across open water at high speeds, Scuba doesn’t flinch. Other animals? No worries. Massive waves? Bring it on. But it’s his unshakeable composure that separates the average adventure dog from a true professional. And Scuba? He’s got nerves of steel.
Scuba’s first proper JetSki adventure was the ultimate test. At just six months old—barely more than a puppy—he faced conditions that would make experienced seafarers nervous. The weather turned brutal. Rain pelted down. Massive waves smashed against the JetSki on the return journey. Steve held his hand protectively over Scuba’s eyes as water crashed around them, wondering if perhaps he’d pushed his young companion too far, too soon.
But when they finally reached land, soaking wet and windswept, Scuba simply shook himself off like it was nothing—just another day at the office. That was the moment Steve knew he had something special. This wasn’t just a dog who could tolerate adventure; this was a dog who was built for it.
Like any job worth doing, Scuba’s career required proper training. His approach? Positive rewards, treats, and building trust one wave at a time. The training started gently. As a small pup, Scuba couldn’t jump onto the JetSki himself, so Steve would carefully place him aboard. Gradually, they progressed to short trips on the water, building Scuba’s confidence and skills.
But every professional faces a defining moment—and for Scuba, it came during an early training session. Positioned on the back of the JetSki, he wasn’t quite prepared when Steve accelerated a bit too enthusiastically. Splash. For 5-10 heart-stopping seconds, Scuba found himself in the water, surrounded by the very real threat of sharks in the area. Steve spun around immediately and scooped up his sodden colleague. Four years later, Scuba has never fallen off again. The lesson was learnt—and learnt well. Since that day, he’s maintained a perfect safety record, proving that even the best professionals sometimes learn their most valuable skills the hard way.
Every working dog deserves the occasional perk, and Scuba’s most legendary moment came during an overnight camping adventure on a secluded island. Picture the scene: a tent under a full moon, the sound of gentle waves, and Scuba absolutely covered in sea water and sand after a day of aquatic adventures. Sand was everywhere—in the tent, on the sleeping bags, coating one very happy border collie.
Steve prepared a beautiful steak dinner and, like many humans, couldn’t resist photographing it first. That’s when gravity intervened. The steak tumbled into the sand. Now, a less professionally-minded dog might have hesitated, looked to their human for permission, or waited politely. But Scuba saw an opportunity and seized it—literally. He grabbed that sandy steak and bolted down the beach, enjoying what was undoubtedly the best meal of his career. Steve felt silly about his food photography mishap. Scuba felt absolutely no regrets. The rest of that moonlit camping adventure was magical, with dog and human sharing the experience under the stars—though perhaps with Steve keeping a closer eye on his dinner from that point forward.
So what does a typical workday look like for Scuba? He and Steve cruise the waterways of the Gold Coast and Moreton Bay, and everywhere they go, they create moments of pure delight. Imagine you’re out on the water and you spot a border collie—standing confidently on a JetSki, wind in his fur, looking like he was born to do exactly this. It’s unexpected, joyful, and absolutely smile-inducing.
That’s Scuba’s real job description: professional smile-maker, good vibe distributor, and reminder that adventure can come in the most unexpected packages. For beachgoers, fellow boaters, and anyone lucky enough to cross paths with this dynamic duo, Scuba delivers something essential—a moment of pure, uncomplicated happiness. In a world that often feels too serious, watching a dog living his absolute best life on the waves is exactly the medicine people need.
For dogs (and their humans) aspiring to follow in Scuba’s paw prints, his career offers valuable lessons. Start slow—don’t rush into the deep end. Build confidence gradually, one small step at a time. Trust is everything. The bond between working dog and human partner must be rock-solid. Scuba trusts Steve to keep him safe, and that trust allows him to be brave. Positive reinforcement works—treats aren’t just rewards, they’re recognition of a job well done. And Scuba is very good at his job, so there are plenty of treats involved. Learning from mistakes is crucial too. That one tumble into shark-inhabited waters? It made Scuba a better, more careful professional. Every setback is a setup for a comeback. And of course, safety first, always. Adventure is brilliant, but only when everyone comes home safe and sandy.
As Scuba prepares for his big moment at the 2026 Top Dog Film Festival, he’s not resting on his laurels. The waterways of Queensland still need their regular dose of JetSki joy, and Scuba has more islands to explore, more waves to ride, and quite possibly more steaks to opportunistically acquire. His story proves something important: not every dog is meant for a traditional job. Some are meant to write their own job descriptions, to find their calling in unexpected places, and to show the world that with the right personality, proper training, and a human who believes in you, anything is possible.
From that pile of eight puppies to becoming a certified adventure legend, Scuba hasn’t just found a job—he’s found his purpose. And he’s living proof that sometimes the best careers are the ones nobody even knew existed until the perfect candidate comes along.
Catch Scuba in action at the 2026 Top Dog Film Festival, where he’ll be showing dog enthusiasts everywhere that border collies can do more than herd—they can make waves, spread joy, and occasionally steal really good steaks. Because that’s what professionals do.
Tickets are now on sale at TopDogFilmFestival.com.au
Follow Steve and Scuba’s adventures on Instagram HERE
All images are courtesy of Steve’s personal files
