Most of us have a list of things we would like to do in our life time. All of our lists vary and it depends on our personalities and individual interests.
I was lucky enough to have to opportunity to swim with dolphins last month – thanks to the generosity of my friend Courtney Rogers. To be more accurate, we got to Ride the Dolphins. It is absolutely an incredible feeling to interact with a wild creature in such a fun and safe way. (Sure dolphins can be trained but they aren’t domesticated animals.)
I got to interact with two dolphins, Stormy and Duffy weighing 600 and 550lbs respectively. It was an amazing feeling to be treading water in middle of a saltwater pond and have dolphins swimming around you and doing jumps right next to you. We had several interactions with the dolphins. At first you just stand in the pond/pool and the dolphin makes several passes and you get to “pet the dolphin”. Then we got to dance with the dolphin and he gives you a kiss.
The best part was actually riding the dolphin. I got to ride them by their holding on to their dorsal fin and belly to belly. When you ride them by the dorsal fin, you have to tread water with your arms extended and the dolphin swims in behind you and underneath your hand. Once you feel the dorsal fin, you wrap on with both hands and hold on tight. They are powerful – when I got a hold of the dorsal fin, my dolphin picked up speed. We were flying and it was fun, but my bathing suit bottoms almost came off and I was mortified that I was going to end up on the bank exposed. Luckily they stayed on around my knees and I was able to get them up before anyone noticed…I think.
The best ride was belly to belly with the dolphin. Again you tread water and the dolphin swims up in front of you and lifts out of the water to where you can grab onto their flippers. At that point the dolphin goes over backwards and swims under the water while you glide on their belly on top of the water.
All I know is being and riding with the dolphins brought me much joy and energy. I hope all of you have some experience, person, or animal that brings a smile to your face whenever your mind goes there.
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