{"id":826971,"date":"2026-05-28T03:50:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T03:50:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/826971\/"},"modified":"2026-05-28T03:50:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T03:50:12","slug":"sea-lion-makes-splash-at-monterey-bay-race-as-it-joins-canoe-crew","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/826971\/","title":{"rendered":"Sea lion makes splash at Monterey Bay race as it joins canoe crew"},"content":{"rendered":"

A racing team slicing through the waters of Monterey Bay<\/a> over Memorial Day weekend got the shock of a lifetime when an overexcited sea lion launched itself straight onto their outrigger canoe in a now-viral moment caught on camera.<\/p>\n

The wild encounter unfolded<\/a> during the Monterey Hoe Wa\u2019a race on May 23, when the marine mammal suddenly burst from the water and landed directly on the narrow racing canoe packed with paddlers from Outrigger Santa Cruz.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just screamed my head off,\u201d paddler Channing Baker, who was sitting in seat three, told KTVU<\/a> on Wednesday. \u201cAt first I thought it was a shark.\u201d<\/p>\n

An enthusiastic sea lion leaped out of the Monterey Bay over Memorial Day weekend. Instagram\/@outriggersantacruz via Storyful<\/p>\n

The chaotic moment was captured on a 360-degree camera loaned to the team by fellow racer Alan Luckow.<\/p>\n

Video from the race shows the sea lion springing onto the canoe with its mouth open and teeth bared as stunned paddlers tried to keep the vessel steady in choppy water.<\/p>\n

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Despite the panic-inducing appearance, nobody was hurt \u2014 including the sea lion.<\/p>\n

Luckow said the stroker never lost focus despite the surprise aquatic passenger.<\/p>\n

Within seconds, the animal slipped back into Monterey Bay, though not before leaving what racers described as a slimy trail across the face of the team\u2019s stroker, the paddler seated at the front of the canoe.<\/p>\n

Luckow said the stroker never lost focus despite the surprise aquatic passenger<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe did everything right,\u201d Luckow told KTVU. \u201cThe boat could have easily tipped.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite the panic-inducing appearance, nobody was hurt \u2014 including the sea lion. Instagram\/@outriggersantacruz via Storyful<\/p>\n

Even with the unexpected interruption, Outrigger Santa Cruz still managed to place third in the race \u2014 something Luckow described as an impressive accomplishment given the circumstances.<\/p>\n

The team later shared footage of the bizarre encounter on Instagram with the caption: \u201cSo this happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

For seasoned paddlers used to encountering marine life in Monterey Bay, the sea lion stunt still stood out.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe see a lot of crazy things,\u201d Luckow told KTVU on Wednesday. \u201cBut this is one of those situations where the animal wasn\u2019t hurt. The stroker wasn\u2019t hurt. It was sort of this great experience interacting with nature.\u201d<\/p>\n

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