By Scott Shephard
Sea Lion Pup - Isla Partida (Gulf of California/Sea of Cotes)
It is not a normal thing for me to willingly get into water that is cold (temps in the high 60s). In addition, there was a current such that if I asserted myself against it, I would still go backwards. Additionally, I was 72 years old and hadn’t snorkeled for over a year.
I had done this a few years ago but it seemed much easier then. The day before I had asked the captain of the Uncruise ship we had been on for almost a week if it was wise for me to go and he said that people older and in worse condition than I had done it and the company had yet to lose anyone. So I guess you could say I was shamed into going. The captain, incidentally, was our youngest son Jon. And I trusted him.
Nevertheless, I panicked a bit at the beginning of the dive because everyone else seemed to be leaving me behind. But I was being looked out for. And, of course, I survived.
We spent about 45 minutes communing with the playful sealions. They are curious and may seem threatening but will never bite. (Though we were told to keep our hands to ourselves.) They are well-adapted to their environment and seemed to enjoy showing off.
Would I do it again? Certainly. But I’d be wise to do a little snorkel conditioning before hand.
