I’ve been a surfer and an ocean fanatic for over 15 years, so sea turtles have a special place in my heart and in my life. These giant, beautiful, graceful reptiles that dive into the deepest parts of the ocean are some of the most well traveled, farthest-swimming creatures in the ocean. The distances that sea turtles travel with regularity is truly amazing and they can teach us humans a thing or two about long distance endurance swim travel!
Hear this great story about surfing with a turtle:
I’ve accidentally swum far out to sea curiously following a sea turtle as if it were a pied piper leading me into the reef depths. Sea turtles are incredibly graceful in the waves and they put us surfers to shame with the ease and speed at which they so nonchalantly ride the most challenging waves that the ocean throws at us to surf. I’ve wiped out on big waves in Hawaii and have seen many surfers injure themselves on the shallow reef, but the wise sea turtle, never! It’s always in the right spot in an angry sea.
But sea turtles are gravely threatened by the human-inflicted problems endangering our oceans. Check out Conservation International's work to protect them and raise awareness. Who knows when the next time is that I’m surfing at the beach and will be startled and pleasantly surprised when a sea turtle quietly rises up from the depths to greet me and share some waves. Thanks, sea turtles, you are the ultimate in freedom and enduring wildness! For more information please visit:
The Sea Turtle Blog
The Great Sea Turtle Race
Conservation International
Above surf photo by Chilesurf.cl
