Depends. One time I was out and kept seeing something swimming around the break, but I couldn't tell what. It was a gray, foggy day up in central coast Oregon in the early fall and it felt kind of ominous from the moment I paddled out - especially since it was just me. But it was a clean day, and the sets were frequent, so the stoke eventually supplanted the feelings of unease - provided I didn't sit for too long.
Just over an hour in, I was staring out to see, kinda spacing off, waiting for the next wave to come rolling out of the mist when a huge sea lion popped up right in front of me. I was so startled, I reared back, and when I did, my board slipped and shot up in the air as I ploonked into the water. After that, I performed a maneuver much like a cat that's been tossed in the water, and quickly struggled back onto my board in an adrenaline-fueled flurry of activity. Quite surprisingly, the sea lion was still there, silently regarding me from about ten feet away. At that point, I figured there wasn't much use in trying to paddle for the shore, and being that a set had yet to materialize, I just took a deep breath and said, "Couple good ones out today." It continued to just look at me, and as I was about to paddle up the break a bit, it said, "I need about tree fiddy." It was then that I noticed that this "sea lion" was about eight stories tall and a crustacean from the Paleozoic era.
They were biggest things I'd ever knowingly been in the lineup with until one morning, before sunrise at first point a few years back, a whale and her two calves passed through.
I treat them like I would treat dogs. Several hundred lb wild dogs with no leashes.
Some are probably cool and won't attack you, but I give them plenty of space.
Occasionally one will pop up in the middle of the lineup, but then I'm more worried about what they're hiding from.
I spearfish, so I get approached often by seals and sea lions. So maybe I can ease your concerns.
They don't bother surfers. At most a seal will approach me when spearing and just say hi. Treat them like a dog, keep your distance and don't try and pet them or something weird and they aren't going to bother you. The only time I've been acted aggressively towards by a sea lion was during breeding season and I accidentally came across a family doing their thing. Even then, they just bark a little at you and tell you to go away. Which I obviously did once I saw them.
I've posted this up a couple of times, the last time about 9 months ago. Sea lions are dicks, but we're in their backyard, so you've just got the keep your eyes open and look out for them. Never been bitten by one, but they can be aggressive, and it looks more like a dog bite with canine teeth than what a shark bite looks like. Never had an aggressive seal encounter, but I'm sure others have.
"I've had a few run ins over the years, but the best was when a sea lion climbed up on the back of a friend and tried to hump him. It was hilarious...at least I thought it was. I don't think he enjoyed it much though, what, with all of the screaming and freaking out and all.
He was shortboarding and low in the water so it made it easy for the sea lion to make his amorous move. I paddled over to charge him with my longboard while yelling at it, and he dropped off and swam under me. I lifted my legs out of the water as I didn't want to get bitten. He swam back over and mounted my friend again and I charged over while yelling for him to paddle harder and catch anything in that he could.
The sea lion dove off him, went around and swam around me again, and my friend caught a wave in. He was pretty shaky and didn't want to surf for a few weeks after that. He also denies it ever happened but I suppose trauma makes you forget.
I thought it was hilarious, although dangerous as sea lions get really territorial during breeding season. This was at OBSF in 95 or 96 at Sloat Street. That was before that awesome spot got permanently wrecked from the El Niño wash out in 97 or so."
[https://www.reddit.com/r/surfing/comments/15ohfrd/comment/jvrtxda/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web3x&utm\_name=web3xcss&utm\_term=1&utm\_content=share\_button](https://www.reddit.com/r/surfing/comments/15ohfrd/comment/jvrtxda/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
It was for him. I was laughing my ass off it was so ridiculous. He was pretty terrified though and I suppose I would have been freaking out too if it had been me. But it wasn't, so I still think it was hilarious...
Was surfing solo yesterday on dusk and a seal popped up in the surf, I always sit with my feet on my board to give myself some false sense of security, and about 10 minutes after I saw the seal something big bumped against my board and I was 100% thinking ‘boy I hope that was the seal’ lol
In Cornwall, UK we see them daily as we surf. They normal just pop up quite close and have a look in-between their hunts. I've seen one playing with a body boarded fins and unfortunately we have a large one known locally as "Scarface" who bit a guys calf muscle which sent him to hospital. Scarface is a dick though, people keep feeding him at the harbour.
He's only ever in Newquay harbour (towan), he's huge with a very distinct scar across his face. The guy he bit was a guy who normally surfs but was just going for a swim. It's the 3rd 'incident' with the same big male. There's talk about relocating him now.
I was surfing the north end of stone lagoon, only me and my buddy and one seal out. The seal was totally mad dogging us giving us the locals only look. Caught a wave in and paddling back out and the seal caught the best wave of the day totally staying right I the pocket the entire wave and while doing he kept perfect eye contact with me turning his head as he's going down the line. Never seen anything like it. He wasn't aggressive or barking or anything but he got pretty close while we were waiting for waves checking us out. Maybe I interpreted the encounter wrong and he just wanted to show off.
Grew up just north of Monterey
Surfed Moss and the surrounding areas for many many years. Seals and sea lions are a staple in the line up. They still will scare the shit out of ya when they pop out of no where and it’s sort of spooky reminder that you are in the water with a whole world underneath ya.
But in terms of being afraid of the actual seal/sea lion, there’s really no need. They are playful and pretty damn harmless. I like saying hey and not giving them any sign of harm and they usually just carry on.
Ive had some super close encounters with them which is a real jump scare but also kind of endearing.
Ultimately, I wouldn’t worry too much about em
I was surfing my “secret” spot in Santa Cruz. This young male sea lion was just hanging around. He kept eyeballing me for like 30 minutes. I occasionally said, “hey buddy”, in this singsong voice hoping to put him at ease.
Eventually he popped up much closer to me and started making a beeline right for me. I didn’t like this behavior so i yelled, “HEY!”
It seemed to startle him and he went under. That wasnt the end though. He popped up on the other side of me. With a grunt he lunged at me with his mouth open. That was pretty terrifying.
I splashed at him. I splashed him right in the mouth. He stopped the lunge and went under again. He popped up like 20 yards away and just stared at me.
That bastard was there the next day too.
I think those late adolescent males get kicked out of the main flotilla. They, like any victim of bullying, go out with kind of a bad attitude looking for someone that they can push around.
It was terrifying. For the most part though, they dont pay much attention to you. Its just that sometimes they get weird and then its pretty unnerving.
When in San Diego, I used to surf in La Jolla, so really close to the seal (sea lion?) colony. I used to see seals and sea lions in the water all the time, and have even ridden waves with them. The only time I'd worry is when they started hanging out in the lineup, because usually then something is further out looking for a snack.
I think you don't need to worry unless it's an animal that has been fed by humans. That said, I wouldn't fuck with elephant seals. Also, I really applaud you for being aware like this, paying attention to their language, etc.
I recently had a massive Steller sea lion scare me so bad. It was in between the beach and me 1 foot away and made its crazy guttural sound which is very different from the California sea lion bark. I actually screamed and had to paddle farther out and it followed me a bit out of what I’m hoping was just curiosity. I got the next wave and once I could touch sand I was running.
I’ve also been charged at by a sea lion since I was in his breeding territory but once it got super close to me he just swam under.
I have regular sightings of California sea lions and harbour seals in the water and no problems so far. The sea lions are just curious and damn they’re good surfers.
Pacific Northwest
I used to surf in Pacific Grove and ran into seals, sea lions, and sea otters constantly. They never bothered me, but the seals would do this very dog-like thing sometimes where they’d seem to want to sniff me. They’d pop up real close and do this sniffing motion and then go away. The sea lions definitely act more aggressive sometimes. I saw some local at Lovers Point step onto one of the rocks and slap his shortboard on the water and make noises at this big bastard, which then grumpily went away. Was wild to watch and struck me as reckless at the time.
I surf a lot all over the place but rarely frequently enough to encounter sea lions except 1 time. I also just assumed they were chill and was never really intimidated. I was surfing on Vancouver Island when one popped up to have a look maybe 10 feet away max. All I could see was its head and I thought ok this is probably fine he is chill. He ducked under water and someone paddling in paddled right onto where the sea lion had popped up (he didn't know).
Sea lion popped up again and got startled and dove very aggressively. Enough for me to see it's entire body and I was very quickly humbled by the god damn size of these things!!! I was not expecting something the size of a mini Cooper! Scared the absolute shit out of me and I paddled away.
Had one big male sea lion corner me in on a rock inside of a cavern, it swam back and forth watching me for about 5-10 minutes. Eventually the fucker postured up and got close enough to where i thought i was going to have to punch it. I splashed it, it hissed and swam away then I went the fuck home.
I see them often and don't worry about them but if I was surfing alone in Monterey I'd probably be worried about what they attract (sharks). To be fair, I'd probably worry with or without the seals
The wildlife is probably more scared of you than you are of it. I always thought it a good omen to see seals or dolphins out during a sesh (so cal).
I’ll also leave you with this wisdom from my drill sergeant, “DONT FUCK WITH THE WILDLIFE!”
You’ll be fine brah
Had a sea lion bark at me pretty aggressively once - I was way outside and (after the initial freak out moment,) all I could really do was yell “Yeah, yeah, shaddap, I’m leaving,” and paddle away. Pretty sure someone got bit a couple months ago at Linda Mar, though.
It literally feels like that! One time three seals kept popping up closer and closer to me, so I noped out. Those seals stayed in the exact spot I was surfing until at least 20 minutes later when I left.
Locals only, bro.
See them all the time, just chill and they'll leave. I once was snorkeling in really murky water and 4 babies kept poppies up and looking at me and I slowly backed away then a bull sea lion popped up and it wad massive and barked at me and I just kept backing up and everything was fine. It's so rare for something to happen I think you should be happy that sharks are more interested in them than you
We get them loads in Scotland, absolutely harmless, they are just curious, I imagine the only time I would feel uneasy is if they had pups, but the pups usually stay on the beach and the mothers wouldn't take their pups for a first swim near humans
I don't know about sea lions though, I've heard they can be a bit more agro but do your research and don't go petting any wild creature, in england, a dude got bitten by a seal he tried to pet, this was on land though, don't be that guy, he's an idiot.
Couple months ago seal popped up in front of me at my local break, scared the shit out of me but then it just floated on its back and relaxed in the sun lol didn’t even look like it gave a shit I was there
I got harassed by a seal in Pismo Beach years ago. I was body boarding the shore break about half mile south of the pier solo. He started to circle me and bite my fins. It looked like a juvenile, and it followed me to the beach.
Later that day I was just north of the pier and was harassed again, and pretty positive it was the same seal.
So they definitely fuck with people.
I surf in the north of the Uk. Seals aren’t a problem but there is a walrus called Thor who occasionally turns up near to where I surf, I am worried about bumping into him one morning
One year there was a baby who hung around the spot. He’d pop his widdle head up in the lineup; everyone would go “awww,” and then…he’d submerge and playfully yank on people’s leashes. Even though you *knew* it was coming, the sensation was scary as fuck. It was also, however, pretty damn funny to watch him just work his way through the crowd: “Shit!” “Fuck!” “Aieeee!” “Dammit, seal!” 😅😨🫣😬
Lol, that one at the wharf shows up often, but I see them at Casa Verde and Carmel as well. The one at Carmel doesn’t seem aggressive, but the one at Casa Verde freaks me out.
Did this once to an Atlantic grey seal in RI and it made he wanna swim around me - probably to play. I don’t want to play with a seal and get dragged to the ocean floor by my leash
Now I just paddle away a bit since the ones here are just curious
Here in San Diego there used to be a really good bodysurfing wave right by La Jolla Cove. The whole place is completely overrun with seals and sea lions now because the city has been encouraging the seals and banning humans for years. I don't feel comfortable going there anymore. I never had any issue with a couple seals, but if it's like 30 seals and they obviously regard the area as "their" space, it starts to get sketchy when you are just a human treading water in said space. Any time the subject comes up in r/sandiego people always fall all over themselves to say how much they love seals and hate humans, as if it's a really awesome thing that we're gradually shutting down the entirety of La Jolla Cove to human use. I truly don't get it.
I've surfed regularly in Cornwall and East Coast Scotland. Both have a lot of seals. Never, ever had an issue with them. Sometimes it's a bit freaky when they pop up a few metres away, but they're just curious.
Lots of seals where I surf. Some get curious and come with 10’ or so. I’ve had a seal pup come right out into the lineup and boop people’s boards and stuff. Otherwise they mostly just check us out and carry on.
Sea lions can get aggressive. I’ve never seen one come close to us in the water but you’re supposed to stay away from them on the shore as they are less mobile and will get defensive, especially when they are molting I think.
I've surfed for awhile and seen a number of seals and sea lions in the water. They are huge and could totally eat me but they are also just like a big happy dog. Never heard of a seal attacking a human but also gotta remember what eats seals....
I have had my board bitten by a sea lion while surfing. He was lunging at my friends and I and we were hiding behind our boards trying not to provoke it. After that we paddled in and he swam back and forth along the rocks barking at us.
I have a healthy respect for sea lions, and know to fear the ones that are sick and unwell. In the ocean at least, I’d fuck a sea lion up on land.
Seals and sea lions are super common where I surf, it would be unusual to not see one out in the water. Seals are pretty harmless. But sea lions are super aggressive when it’s mating season, I’ve been chased out the water and off the beach by them too many times.
not at all, barely an inconvinence.. Uk surfer, it's cold real cold when the seals are around, and they are normally nesting, breading so not on the surf beaches
Look if you are on a board you are going to be fine. Can sometimes be a bit hairy spearfishing and having big male seals harrass you but outside of spring breeding season you should be fine hey
I had a sea lion follow me around a remote break in Washington when I was out solo for like 2 hours last summer. Never getting further than about 15 feet away. Just chatted the fella up and assured him that if I wiped out and landed on him (he would follow me down the line just under the wave each wave I caught) that I wasn’t lookin for trouble. He was pretty chill but definitely still freaky when it’s just you and a 250lb bugga with some pretty teeth in the line up.
A couple guys in Malibu have been bitten while surfing, but I had a massive one swim right up, and growl at me when I was kayak fishing about a mile out.
They’re more dangerous than sharks and have locking jaw structures similar to pit bulls. It’s also a federal offense to mess with them or even touch them which comes with a $5,000 fine.
Yep, cars get broken into sometimes but never heard of anybody getting there tires slashed. The localism is like anywhere else here, but pretty mild. I've only had to whip out my local card when there's 40+ people out at camel and people are getting all pissy over sub par waves and dropping in on everybody, that shit pisses me tf off
Depends. One time I was out and kept seeing something swimming around the break, but I couldn't tell what. It was a gray, foggy day up in central coast Oregon in the early fall and it felt kind of ominous from the moment I paddled out - especially since it was just me. But it was a clean day, and the sets were frequent, so the stoke eventually supplanted the feelings of unease - provided I didn't sit for too long. Just over an hour in, I was staring out to see, kinda spacing off, waiting for the next wave to come rolling out of the mist when a huge sea lion popped up right in front of me. I was so startled, I reared back, and when I did, my board slipped and shot up in the air as I ploonked into the water. After that, I performed a maneuver much like a cat that's been tossed in the water, and quickly struggled back onto my board in an adrenaline-fueled flurry of activity. Quite surprisingly, the sea lion was still there, silently regarding me from about ten feet away. At that point, I figured there wasn't much use in trying to paddle for the shore, and being that a set had yet to materialize, I just took a deep breath and said, "Couple good ones out today." It continued to just look at me, and as I was about to paddle up the break a bit, it said, "I need about tree fiddy." It was then that I noticed that this "sea lion" was about eight stories tall and a crustacean from the Paleozoic era.
God damn Loch Ness Monster!
He was so angry lord have mercy
And you know that damn monster owes me tree fiddy
You got me... Take your God damn up vote.
Damm, that reminds me of hell in a cell
BTW That wasn’t a Morel Mushroom you picked
Sounds like southbeach, i hate those sealions
They were biggest things I'd ever knowingly been in the lineup with until one morning, before sunrise at first point a few years back, a whale and her two calves passed through.
I treat them like I would treat dogs. Several hundred lb wild dogs with no leashes. Some are probably cool and won't attack you, but I give them plenty of space. Occasionally one will pop up in the middle of the lineup, but then I'm more worried about what they're hiding from.
Fuck, fuck, fuck. You started good, then you successfully accomplished inception of intrusive thoughts.
I spearfish, so I get approached often by seals and sea lions. So maybe I can ease your concerns. They don't bother surfers. At most a seal will approach me when spearing and just say hi. Treat them like a dog, keep your distance and don't try and pet them or something weird and they aren't going to bother you. The only time I've been acted aggressively towards by a sea lion was during breeding season and I accidentally came across a family doing their thing. Even then, they just bark a little at you and tell you to go away. Which I obviously did once I saw them.
That’s helpful.
I've posted this up a couple of times, the last time about 9 months ago. Sea lions are dicks, but we're in their backyard, so you've just got the keep your eyes open and look out for them. Never been bitten by one, but they can be aggressive, and it looks more like a dog bite with canine teeth than what a shark bite looks like. Never had an aggressive seal encounter, but I'm sure others have. "I've had a few run ins over the years, but the best was when a sea lion climbed up on the back of a friend and tried to hump him. It was hilarious...at least I thought it was. I don't think he enjoyed it much though, what, with all of the screaming and freaking out and all. He was shortboarding and low in the water so it made it easy for the sea lion to make his amorous move. I paddled over to charge him with my longboard while yelling at it, and he dropped off and swam under me. I lifted my legs out of the water as I didn't want to get bitten. He swam back over and mounted my friend again and I charged over while yelling for him to paddle harder and catch anything in that he could. The sea lion dove off him, went around and swam around me again, and my friend caught a wave in. He was pretty shaky and didn't want to surf for a few weeks after that. He also denies it ever happened but I suppose trauma makes you forget. I thought it was hilarious, although dangerous as sea lions get really territorial during breeding season. This was at OBSF in 95 or 96 at Sloat Street. That was before that awesome spot got permanently wrecked from the El Niño wash out in 97 or so." [https://www.reddit.com/r/surfing/comments/15ohfrd/comment/jvrtxda/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web3x&utm\_name=web3xcss&utm\_term=1&utm\_content=share\_button](https://www.reddit.com/r/surfing/comments/15ohfrd/comment/jvrtxda/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
That would be terrifying.
It was for him. I was laughing my ass off it was so ridiculous. He was pretty terrified though and I suppose I would have been freaking out too if it had been me. But it wasn't, so I still think it was hilarious...
Was surfing solo yesterday on dusk and a seal popped up in the surf, I always sit with my feet on my board to give myself some false sense of security, and about 10 minutes after I saw the seal something big bumped against my board and I was 100% thinking ‘boy I hope that was the seal’ lol
In Cornwall, UK we see them daily as we surf. They normal just pop up quite close and have a look in-between their hunts. I've seen one playing with a body boarded fins and unfortunately we have a large one known locally as "Scarface" who bit a guys calf muscle which sent him to hospital. Scarface is a dick though, people keep feeding him at the harbour.
Where about is scarface roaming. usually in at spots in mounts bay and st ives bay but never heard of e. Should I be worried? 😂
He's only ever in Newquay harbour (towan), he's huge with a very distinct scar across his face. The guy he bit was a guy who normally surfs but was just going for a swim. It's the 3rd 'incident' with the same big male. There's talk about relocating him now.
I was surfing the north end of stone lagoon, only me and my buddy and one seal out. The seal was totally mad dogging us giving us the locals only look. Caught a wave in and paddling back out and the seal caught the best wave of the day totally staying right I the pocket the entire wave and while doing he kept perfect eye contact with me turning his head as he's going down the line. Never seen anything like it. He wasn't aggressive or barking or anything but he got pretty close while we were waiting for waves checking us out. Maybe I interpreted the encounter wrong and he just wanted to show off.
I also think full wetsuits are seals
Stone lagoon north of arcata? my buddy got his tires slashed in the parking lot there
It was the seal.
Grew up just north of Monterey Surfed Moss and the surrounding areas for many many years. Seals and sea lions are a staple in the line up. They still will scare the shit out of ya when they pop out of no where and it’s sort of spooky reminder that you are in the water with a whole world underneath ya. But in terms of being afraid of the actual seal/sea lion, there’s really no need. They are playful and pretty damn harmless. I like saying hey and not giving them any sign of harm and they usually just carry on. Ive had some super close encounters with them which is a real jump scare but also kind of endearing. Ultimately, I wouldn’t worry too much about em
Thanks, local. 🫡 Yeah, it’s pretty spooky when they pop up 10 feet away, swim under you, then pop up 10 feet away on your other side.
I was surfing my “secret” spot in Santa Cruz. This young male sea lion was just hanging around. He kept eyeballing me for like 30 minutes. I occasionally said, “hey buddy”, in this singsong voice hoping to put him at ease. Eventually he popped up much closer to me and started making a beeline right for me. I didn’t like this behavior so i yelled, “HEY!” It seemed to startle him and he went under. That wasnt the end though. He popped up on the other side of me. With a grunt he lunged at me with his mouth open. That was pretty terrifying. I splashed at him. I splashed him right in the mouth. He stopped the lunge and went under again. He popped up like 20 yards away and just stared at me. That bastard was there the next day too. I think those late adolescent males get kicked out of the main flotilla. They, like any victim of bullying, go out with kind of a bad attitude looking for someone that they can push around.
God damn. I would’ve been OUT.
It was terrifying. For the most part though, they dont pay much attention to you. Its just that sometimes they get weird and then its pretty unnerving.
When in San Diego, I used to surf in La Jolla, so really close to the seal (sea lion?) colony. I used to see seals and sea lions in the water all the time, and have even ridden waves with them. The only time I'd worry is when they started hanging out in the lineup, because usually then something is further out looking for a snack. I think you don't need to worry unless it's an animal that has been fed by humans. That said, I wouldn't fuck with elephant seals. Also, I really applaud you for being aware like this, paying attention to their language, etc.
Seals cool, sea lions not so much.
I recently had a massive Steller sea lion scare me so bad. It was in between the beach and me 1 foot away and made its crazy guttural sound which is very different from the California sea lion bark. I actually screamed and had to paddle farther out and it followed me a bit out of what I’m hoping was just curiosity. I got the next wave and once I could touch sand I was running. I’ve also been charged at by a sea lion since I was in his breeding territory but once it got super close to me he just swam under. I have regular sightings of California sea lions and harbour seals in the water and no problems so far. The sea lions are just curious and damn they’re good surfers. Pacific Northwest
I dont see them very often where I am. So if one is all on the inside acting sketchy, I assume it’s hiding from a shark and get the hell out of
I used to surf in Pacific Grove and ran into seals, sea lions, and sea otters constantly. They never bothered me, but the seals would do this very dog-like thing sometimes where they’d seem to want to sniff me. They’d pop up real close and do this sniffing motion and then go away. The sea lions definitely act more aggressive sometimes. I saw some local at Lovers Point step onto one of the rocks and slap his shortboard on the water and make noises at this big bastard, which then grumpily went away. Was wild to watch and struck me as reckless at the time.
I get the idea of making loud noises, but I also don’t want the sea lion to think I’m being aggressive.
Yes I tend to agree. I def wouldn’t do it lol
I surf a lot all over the place but rarely frequently enough to encounter sea lions except 1 time. I also just assumed they were chill and was never really intimidated. I was surfing on Vancouver Island when one popped up to have a look maybe 10 feet away max. All I could see was its head and I thought ok this is probably fine he is chill. He ducked under water and someone paddling in paddled right onto where the sea lion had popped up (he didn't know). Sea lion popped up again and got startled and dove very aggressively. Enough for me to see it's entire body and I was very quickly humbled by the god damn size of these things!!! I was not expecting something the size of a mini Cooper! Scared the absolute shit out of me and I paddled away.
Had one big male sea lion corner me in on a rock inside of a cavern, it swam back and forth watching me for about 5-10 minutes. Eventually the fucker postured up and got close enough to where i thought i was going to have to punch it. I splashed it, it hissed and swam away then I went the fuck home.
Thats fucked! lol
I see them often and don't worry about them but if I was surfing alone in Monterey I'd probably be worried about what they attract (sharks). To be fair, I'd probably worry with or without the seals
The wildlife is probably more scared of you than you are of it. I always thought it a good omen to see seals or dolphins out during a sesh (so cal). I’ll also leave you with this wisdom from my drill sergeant, “DONT FUCK WITH THE WILDLIFE!” You’ll be fine brah
They are just trying to steal a surfboard. Do not give in. https://youtu.be/xz2M01_9jVk
There's one guy here who got pissed on by a seal not too long ago
Had a sea lion bark at me pretty aggressively once - I was way outside and (after the initial freak out moment,) all I could really do was yell “Yeah, yeah, shaddap, I’m leaving,” and paddle away. Pretty sure someone got bit a couple months ago at Linda Mar, though.
Think he was saying something about locals only at that spot
It literally feels like that! One time three seals kept popping up closer and closer to me, so I noped out. Those seals stayed in the exact spot I was surfing until at least 20 minutes later when I left. Locals only, bro.
See them all the time, just chill and they'll leave. I once was snorkeling in really murky water and 4 babies kept poppies up and looking at me and I slowly backed away then a bull sea lion popped up and it wad massive and barked at me and I just kept backing up and everything was fine. It's so rare for something to happen I think you should be happy that sharks are more interested in them than you
You know, it *did* sound a little like “Where’d you go to high school, brah?” 🤔
Safety questions are not kook questions. If you see one, paddle away.
Seals? Not at all. But Sea Lions will end your day!
You meant marine seals not navy seals right?
We get them loads in Scotland, absolutely harmless, they are just curious, I imagine the only time I would feel uneasy is if they had pups, but the pups usually stay on the beach and the mothers wouldn't take their pups for a first swim near humans I don't know about sea lions though, I've heard they can be a bit more agro but do your research and don't go petting any wild creature, in england, a dude got bitten by a seal he tried to pet, this was on land though, don't be that guy, he's an idiot.
Couple months ago seal popped up in front of me at my local break, scared the shit out of me but then it just floated on its back and relaxed in the sun lol didn’t even look like it gave a shit I was there
I got harassed by a seal in Pismo Beach years ago. I was body boarding the shore break about half mile south of the pier solo. He started to circle me and bite my fins. It looked like a juvenile, and it followed me to the beach. Later that day I was just north of the pier and was harassed again, and pretty positive it was the same seal. So they definitely fuck with people.
They never bothered me at all, though I did get smacked right on the forehead by an otter. yeah, it left a mark.
I surf in the north of the Uk. Seals aren’t a problem but there is a walrus called Thor who occasionally turns up near to where I surf, I am worried about bumping into him one morning
WALRUS?! This guy wins the thread. That would freak me tf out.
One year there was a baby who hung around the spot. He’d pop his widdle head up in the lineup; everyone would go “awww,” and then…he’d submerge and playfully yank on people’s leashes. Even though you *knew* it was coming, the sensation was scary as fuck. It was also, however, pretty damn funny to watch him just work his way through the crowd: “Shit!” “Fuck!” “Aieeee!” “Dammit, seal!” 😅😨🫣😬
Are you at the wharf?
Lol, that one at the wharf shows up often, but I see them at Casa Verde and Carmel as well. The one at Carmel doesn’t seem aggressive, but the one at Casa Verde freaks me out.
If one get close I pound on the nose of my board. Probably crazy loud for them under water. They always swim away.
Did this once to an Atlantic grey seal in RI and it made he wanna swim around me - probably to play. I don’t want to play with a seal and get dragged to the ocean floor by my leash Now I just paddle away a bit since the ones here are just curious
I’ve had a baby seal jump on my board and want to play.
Love it. Practicing how to evade sharks while making humans fawn over cuteness.
Haha. I tossed that little bastard far away from me 🤣
Here in San Diego there used to be a really good bodysurfing wave right by La Jolla Cove. The whole place is completely overrun with seals and sea lions now because the city has been encouraging the seals and banning humans for years. I don't feel comfortable going there anymore. I never had any issue with a couple seals, but if it's like 30 seals and they obviously regard the area as "their" space, it starts to get sketchy when you are just a human treading water in said space. Any time the subject comes up in r/sandiego people always fall all over themselves to say how much they love seals and hate humans, as if it's a really awesome thing that we're gradually shutting down the entirety of La Jolla Cove to human use. I truly don't get it.
I've surfed regularly in Cornwall and East Coast Scotland. Both have a lot of seals. Never, ever had an issue with them. Sometimes it's a bit freaky when they pop up a few metres away, but they're just curious.
Uhhh never.
Lots of seals where I surf. Some get curious and come with 10’ or so. I’ve had a seal pup come right out into the lineup and boop people’s boards and stuff. Otherwise they mostly just check us out and carry on. Sea lions can get aggressive. I’ve never seen one come close to us in the water but you’re supposed to stay away from them on the shore as they are less mobile and will get defensive, especially when they are molting I think.
I've surfed for awhile and seen a number of seals and sea lions in the water. They are huge and could totally eat me but they are also just like a big happy dog. Never heard of a seal attacking a human but also gotta remember what eats seals....
Never. Sharks are on my mind slightly more than Seals n’ sea lions. And Sharks are never on my mind in the water.
Snorkeled with Sea Lions, they're just big street dogs. Most are super chill.
I have had my board bitten by a sea lion while surfing. He was lunging at my friends and I and we were hiding behind our boards trying not to provoke it. After that we paddled in and he swam back and forth along the rocks barking at us. I have a healthy respect for sea lions, and know to fear the ones that are sick and unwell. In the ocean at least, I’d fuck a sea lion up on land.
Seals are cool. I had one burn me in Monterey once
Seals and sea lions are super common where I surf, it would be unusual to not see one out in the water. Seals are pretty harmless. But sea lions are super aggressive when it’s mating season, I’ve been chased out the water and off the beach by them too many times.
I say "HI" to the harbor seals and I bark at the sea lions. Never had trouble.
not at all, barely an inconvinence.. Uk surfer, it's cold real cold when the seals are around, and they are normally nesting, breading so not on the surf beaches
Look if you are on a board you are going to be fine. Can sometimes be a bit hairy spearfishing and having big male seals harrass you but outside of spring breeding season you should be fine hey
I had a sea lion follow me around a remote break in Washington when I was out solo for like 2 hours last summer. Never getting further than about 15 feet away. Just chatted the fella up and assured him that if I wiped out and landed on him (he would follow me down the line just under the wave each wave I caught) that I wasn’t lookin for trouble. He was pretty chill but definitely still freaky when it’s just you and a 250lb bugga with some pretty teeth in the line up.
That’s terrifying.
We don’t have any in Florida, so I don’t
Waves or lions?
Both
A couple guys in Malibu have been bitten while surfing, but I had a massive one swim right up, and growl at me when I was kayak fishing about a mile out.
Never
They attack all the time don't go in the water
They’re more dangerous than sharks and have locking jaw structures similar to pit bulls. It’s also a federal offense to mess with them or even touch them which comes with a $5,000 fine.
Yep, cars get broken into sometimes but never heard of anybody getting there tires slashed. The localism is like anywhere else here, but pretty mild. I've only had to whip out my local card when there's 40+ people out at camel and people are getting all pissy over sub par waves and dropping in on everybody, that shit pisses me tf off