Seal Surfing Encounter, Gwithian, Cornwall UK

In support of the Seal Sanctuary Cornwall, ASI is collecting stories.  Tyson from Gwithian Academy of Surfing has had a few encounters. 

“Well,” says Tyson “I was teaching a couple to surf at Gwithian about a few years ago in quite small waves. About knee to waist high surf. During a lull in the waves a small pup (I reckon about 1m long) popped up and rested his/her head on the tail of one of the surfer’s boards. It didn’t hang around for long and it was really unusual for seals to interact in any way at all, let alone get so close. The surfer was in waist depth water standing beside her surfboard.

The other time I was surfing Gwithian towards the end of summer. Pretty horrible surf, overhead and onshore and just me and one other guy in the water. There was a seal lurking around the line-up but that’s not unusual at Gwithian. There are usually a few around as there is a cove nearby where 100’s gather and sunbathe at low tide. I’d just duckdived a wave and was wondering about catching a wave in when I felt a seal nuzzle my feet as they were hanging off the back of my surfboard. I completely freaked out! When I retracted my feet, the seal dived for cover and I didn’t see it again. I’m guessing this has happened to other surfers but it was the first time it has happened to me.
It was pretty special!” 

His surf school near to Godrevy, a National Trust Park (30 mins from St Ives).  Check out the surf schools cute Seal of approval hoodie. 

Find out more about the UK’s seal population, how you can help them and what to do if you encounter them whilst out paddling in our interview with the Cornish Seal Sanctuary https://www.academyofsurfing.com/news/tips-for-seal-encounters-and-the-cornish-seal-sanctuary

ASI is supporting the Cornish Seal Sanctuary and the great work they do for injured and abandoned seal pups. 

Send ASI your seal encounter stories if you want your very own, limited edition, Cornish Seal Sanctuary water bottle!

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