Swimming with Dolphins

This is me when I visited Cozumel, Mexico.  I met my dolphin friend.  His trainer taught me a few basic signals.  This one got me a ride. 

I posted this comment on 11/29
Have you ever wondered what a dolphin’s skin feels like? Me, never. I only imagined swimming with them, gliding through water, dolphin speed. My picture is from last February, but I’ll try to remember, for you.

When you think fish, you think of bumps and scales. And if you think mammal, you think of your own skin. But dolphin skin is different. I can’t think of a single animal I’ve touched that felt the same. Their coat is smooth, soft, and a little cold. Have you ever coated something to make it water-proof? It’s feels a little like that too. I suppose it has to be to survive living in water.

I love dolphins, but I’m not sure I like their skin. It’s like touching a solid plastic lifebuoy or wearing those rubbery lifejackets. They’re all oily, and plastic-y, and solid. So is a dolphin beneath your hand. My male friend here probably weighed close to 400 pounds. I felt small beside him. But…the best thing about touching dolphin skin was being able to grasp a pectoral (side) and dorsal (top) fin, and then hitch a ride. I loved it! (Other than the water splashing me in the face. Yuck!)

If you’d like to read more about my dolphin friend, click on this link. I learned a lot! I hope you will too! https://seaworld.org/en/animal-info/animal-infobooks/bottlenose-dolphins/physical-characteristics

​Then I posted this comment on 12/6
 Curiosity killed the cat, but I wonder what it did to the dolphin…

Did you know you can’t wear jewelry, or anything sparkly-interesting when you swim with dolphins? Why not? They’re curious and have to check it out. That’s not a problem…unless your sparkly-interesting thing has a sharp edge. Then you’ve given your dolphin friend a cut, and Band-Aids are awfully hard to wear in water.

Luckily for your dolphin friend, he has great skin. If you visited the SeaWorld link from my last comment, you know that dolphins shed their skin, every inch of it, every two hours. No wonder their skin’s so soft and smooth! If a cut goes deeper, it just takes a little longer to heal. Lucky dolphins!

So, remember if you’re ever lucky enough to swim with a dolphin, leave your sparkly-interesting things in a locker, or at home. You’ll both have a wonderfully safe time!!!

​This was from the original post.
I hoped students would write and comment. They didn't, but if you're reading this now, please comment! I love to hear from kids!

​Now students in grades K-5, it’s your turn…. My photo will be up for a month.  At the end of that time, I’ll award the class with the most posts an autographed copy of our writing.  For the month’s best post, I’ll publish your work right below mine so everyone can read and admire your work.  I’ll also send you an autographed copy of our writing, of course!
 
Suggestions… You can write about my ride, guessing what kind of signals I used, how I felt, or what else we did together.  OR, you can put yourself in the picture.  You’re visiting a dolphin.  What would you see and do?  Maybe you’ve already hung out with dolphins. Remember it’s YOUR turn to write.  Anything is possible, fiction or nonfiction.  The post is yours! 
 
Happy Writing!
Rinda Beach

PS…please head your piece with your first name, school, teacher, and grade level.  Don’t forget to reread and edit so I'll want to read it over and over again!

PPS...then email your writing to [email protected].  I can't wait to post it on my blog!

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If you’d like to comment about my picture or on someone’s comments, click on comments and write a note.  Anyone can comment, even teachers and parents!  Students, please post using your parents’ or teachers’ email.  Remember, first names only when you sign in for safety sake.