In this short film, Moss Thompson, a surfer and DOC coastal ranger in Otago, explains what surfers need to do to safely surf with sea lions.
We’ve all been there: trying desperately to enjoy a surf only to have a sea lion turn up and get in your grill. Well, according to Moss, there’s an easy way to turn that encounter from one of fear into an enjoyable experience … and still catch waves.
“Sea lions often join surfers in the water, appearing to understand and participate in the fun,” Moss explains. “Despite their intimidating appearance, their behaviour is not aggressive but rather a form of greeting, similar to that of an untrained dog. And sea lions use their whiskers to explore the world and this means they may mouth at you, which can be frightening but it is not harmful.”
Moss said misinterpretation of their actions could lead to unnecessary fear and escalation.
“Sea lions have become an integral part of the coastal scene in southern New Zealand, though their rarity is often underappreciated by locals,” adds Moss. “Through this film I am hoping to allay fears for surfers and instead transform these interactions into moments to be enjoyed.”
Grab a cuppa and press play …