It's not everyday that you have a sea lion jump onto your paddle board. It was about this time last year when I was leading a stand-up paddle tour from Butterfly beach in Montecito when this little guy decided to join me. I knew I couldn't take credit for being anything other then just lucky, but I do remember feeling super special to have the opportunity to become friends with this local. Needless to say my tour immediately booked another kayak rental and tour the next day.
The California sea lion can be easily spotted by his ears and thick fur. Its natural habitat ranges from the south of Alaska to central Mexico. Sea lions, although insulated by a thick layer of blubber and fur, frequently need to haul-out to warm up. Their fur becomes saturated with water enabling the cold water to contact the skin and cool their body temperature. The popular sunning spots are the buoys that float on either side of the Mr. Clean barge off of East beach. Sea lions are always fighting for space to warm up and this little guy was finding it impossible to secure a sunning spot for himself. I could tell from a distance, while I was stand-up paddling, that he needed to warm up--so I made myself as low and as unintimidating as possible to see if he would come closer. Sure enough he came straight for me and jumped up on my board. Not only did he say hi, he stayed for almost a half hour while I finished my stand-up paddle tour before rejoining his friends.
We've been opening our SUP and Kayak rental site on butterfly beach for a few years now, during which I'm amazed at how much wildlife we see. California is home to 14 of the 20 species of dolphins, making them a fairly common site. I could guarantee that every time dolphins went by our rentals would be cleaned out in an instant. Stand-up paddling is an excellent way to experience sea life and the ocean as well. From your standing position it really allows you to look straight into the depths, unimpaired from the sun's glare. I'm always trying to get my friends down to our rental stand in the summer to come out with me and see for themselves. Stand-up paddling didn't really start to take off until 2005 when, Laird Hamilton and Dave Kalama started using them in big wave surfing. It is believed that it started as far back as 1939 when Duke Kahanamoku was seen riding an Australian surf ski in a video shot in Hawaii. I'd have to say I was skeptical at first, but I have since become a major fan of stand-up paddling for nature spotting. I'm not sure if I'll get the privilege of having another sea lion on my board. However, I do make a point to go down to our SUP rental stand as much as possible during the summer to at least get exercise and see what other animals I can meet. Best of luck little buddy, hope you're warm, well and enjoying the California coast as much as I am!