Cody is our 3rd Golden, not 6 years old. His website is www.catsailor.com/Cody.html which is a little history of him. Great and loving dog that would have to go to heaven.
The picture of his when he graduated early from school way ahead of his class and was able to go to advanced training.

Our first Golden was really a sailor. Just like yours in Texas he would hike to the windward side. I was trying to do the Wild Thing, but he was not in to that much.

Funny story: Nugget (the first one) and I had just won the TheMightyHobie18 Class Race and headed back in to shore ahead of a bunch of the other sailors. I was trapped and he was hiking. A puff followed by a big lull tripped me and I was spinning around at the end of the wire bouncing in and out of the water. Laughing like hell, I yelled, "Nugget, save me!"
He danced around intently waiting for a chance to help during the spinning and when he got his chance he grabbed my cap.
Anyone that knows me also knows I never go anywhere without my cap on. Guess he thought that was part of me he was saving.