Playful Seal Becomes Surfing Buddy in San Diego

A cute seal pup has become the talk of a popular San Diego surf spot. This friendly marine mammal has been hopping onto surfers' boards and even trying to catch some waves of his own.

Captured on Camera

Local drone pilot Ed Hartle, known online as "Drone Dude Ed," has captured amazing footage of the social seal. The videos show the pup resting on various surfboards, soaking up the sun, and swimming between surfers in search of new friends.

Playing It Safe

While seals are common in San Diego waters and often show friendly behavior, the surfers wanted to make sure their new buddy wasn't in trouble. They called local marine life experts to check on the seal's health.

Clean Bill of Health

After examining the young seal, experts confirmed he was perfectly healthy with no signs of distress. They explained that his behavior was simply the result of natural curiosity and playfulness. The experts also noted that the seal pup was old enough to take care of himself in the wild.

Respecting Wildlife

It's important to remember that seals are protected animals. Laws prohibit people from touching them or interfering with their natural behavior. Following expert advice, the surfers have been letting the seal do whatever he wants during their sessions.

Memorable Surf Days

This hands-off approach has created some truly special moments for the local surf community. Many surfers now have unforgettable stories about sharing their boards with a seal who's still learning how to hang ten.

While the seal might not be ready to enter any surfing competitions just yet, he's certainly making waves in the San Diego surfing scene, one board hop at a time.