WEBVTT Kind: captions Language: en-US 00:00:05.290 --> 00:00:09.510 -Hi, I'm Paul Michel, superintendent of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and 00:00:09.510 --> 00:00:14.040 I'm so glad you could join us for our Get Into Your Sanctuary Program. 00:00:14.040 --> 00:00:19.200 We're so excited to bring to you amazing ways to Get Into Your Sanctuary, and we've got 00:00:19.200 --> 00:00:24.849 a great lineup of guests to take us out into the sanctuary, say hi, everybody! 00:00:24.849 --> 00:00:30.220 -Hi, my name is Steve Lonhart. I'm a research specialist and unit diving supervisor for 00:00:30.220 --> 00:00:32.439 Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. 00:00:34.100 --> 00:00:38.360 -What’s up guys? I'm Vince Schweitzer and I'm a kayak tour guide and instructor at Monterey 00:00:38.360 --> 00:00:39.360 Bay Kayaks. 00:00:40.240 --> 00:00:44.920 -Hi, I'm Keanna Miller, I'm a professional surfer from Santa Cruz, California. 00:00:46.060 --> 00:00:52.360 -Awesome. There are so many great ways to Get Into Your Sanctuary, let's dive in there! 00:02:09.500 --> 00:02:14.560 [Paul] Monterey Bay is one of 14 national marine sanctuaries and two national marine monuments, 00:02:14.560 --> 00:02:21.230 all under NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, all designed to protect these 00:02:21.230 --> 00:02:27.439 very special natural and cultural places while allowing people to enjoy and use the ocean. 00:02:27.439 --> 00:02:32.540 Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is really big, it stretches from Marin County 00:02:32.540 --> 00:02:41.029 to San Luis Obispo County, 276 miles of coast and over 6,000 square miles of ocean. 00:02:41.029 --> 00:02:45.970 Our mission is to better protect and understand this beautiful coast and ocean and educate 00:02:45.970 --> 00:02:52.309 visitors and our communities to encourage stewardship and safe recreation. 00:02:52.309 --> 00:02:55.099 So let’s jump in! 00:02:55.099 --> 00:02:59.349 [Steve] Thanks, Paul. We're gonna explore the sanctuary by scuba diving. 00:02:59.349 --> 00:03:04.859 I'm Dr. Steve Lonhart and I'm a marine ecologist and I studied marine ecology right here in 00:03:04.859 --> 00:03:06.099 Monterey Bay. 00:03:06.099 --> 00:03:10.989 It’s the incredible diversity of these kelp forests that provide a wealth of opportunities 00:03:10.989 --> 00:03:13.279 for research and enjoyment. 00:03:13.279 --> 00:03:17.389 So let's go ahead and explore these amazing places. 00:03:17.389 --> 00:03:22.529 At 50 feet deep, you can see the rocks are covered with life. 00:03:22.529 --> 00:03:29.010 Things like purple urchins and hydrocorals, like I'm showing right here with my light, 00:03:29.010 --> 00:03:34.650 that can be salmon-colored, peach-colored, and then the bright, strawberry anemones. 00:03:34.650 --> 00:03:38.359 Every square inch of the reef is covered with life. 00:03:38.359 --> 00:03:43.189 And as you see, there are these things that look like ropes, heading up to the surface. 00:03:43.189 --> 00:03:45.129 These are actually bull kelp. 00:03:45.129 --> 00:03:51.489 And those stipes are buoyed up to the surface by an air bladder that brings those long blades 00:03:51.489 --> 00:03:56.299 closer to the sunlight so that it can do photosynthesis. 00:03:56.299 --> 00:04:02.849 Just like the forests on land, these stands of kelp have fishes swimming through them, 00:04:02.849 --> 00:04:06.479 sort of like the birds in force on land. 00:04:06.479 --> 00:04:10.629 And what we're gonna see, in just a second, is one of the biggest fish you'll ever see 00:04:10.629 --> 00:04:14.939 underwater, and it's going to be just checking you out. 00:04:14.939 --> 00:04:18.049 This is a giant sea bass. 00:04:18.049 --> 00:04:24.160 They can grow up to several feet long, and they are very curious and inquisitive about 00:04:24.160 --> 00:04:25.160 divers. 00:04:25.160 --> 00:04:28.670 So even though all of us have spent a lot of time underwater, we all stop doing our 00:04:28.670 --> 00:04:32.080 work when we see one of these giants swim through the kelp bed. 00:04:32.080 --> 00:04:38.790 Here, you can see one of my dive buddies saying, “That was cool,” but we have to get back 00:04:38.790 --> 00:04:39.790 to work. 00:04:39.790 --> 00:04:44.600 And in this dive, we're actually looking for locations where we might do restoration work 00:04:44.600 --> 00:04:46.100 for white abalone. 00:04:46.100 --> 00:04:52.030 So here I am bringing the shell back to one of my dive buddies. 00:04:52.030 --> 00:04:55.530 And after an exciting encounter like that, I gotta check my air and make sure I've 00:04:55.530 --> 00:04:56.860 still got enough. 00:04:58.220 --> 00:05:02.060 At 70 feet, it goes by pretty fast. 00:05:02.070 --> 00:05:09.320 Giant kelp is one of our amazing organisms that provides this incredible habitat throughout 00:05:09.320 --> 00:05:13.120 the central coast of California. 00:05:13.120 --> 00:05:16.430 Urchins are one of the more common things that feed on that kelp and can switch the 00:05:16.430 --> 00:05:20.750 system from kelp-dominated to urchin-dominated. 00:05:20.750 --> 00:05:25.230 When you look at the rocks that these organisms are attached to, you'll see that they're covered 00:05:25.230 --> 00:05:30.120 with sponges, like this blue cobalt sponge, and orange cup corals. 00:05:30.120 --> 00:05:36.080 And as I showed you earlier, that purple hydrocoral, an incredible diversity of marine life that 00:05:36.080 --> 00:05:37.550 makes it exciting to look at. 00:05:37.550 --> 00:05:42.450 And even the things that you don't see initially will surprise you, like this well-camouflaged 00:05:42.450 --> 00:05:44.650 Gibbonsia. 00:05:44.650 --> 00:05:49.960 Things are always just around the corner, unexpected and exciting. 00:05:49.960 --> 00:05:56.380 And here, while we're doing some work underwater, and I'm checking out a growing stand of kelp 00:05:56.380 --> 00:06:03.770 that's slowly making its way up to the surface, I kinda felt a tugging on my fin. 00:06:03.770 --> 00:06:07.000 And when I looked down, there was a harbor seal. 00:06:07.000 --> 00:06:12.920 For whatever reason, harbor seals are fascinated by the fins of divers, oftentimes grabbing 00:06:12.920 --> 00:06:14.670 them, chewing on them. 00:06:14.670 --> 00:06:20.290 And in this case, I was really surprised, not only by the harbor seal that was checking 00:06:20.290 --> 00:06:26.260 out my fin but then the harbor still notices something else that I hadn't seen. 00:06:26.260 --> 00:06:32.180 And when that harbor seal looks up, it kind of says, “Whoa, here comes somebody.” 00:06:32.180 --> 00:06:35.660 And so that made me look up, thinking, “Who's coming to visit?” 00:06:35.660 --> 00:06:40.050 And there, in the haze of the sunlight, is a sea otter that started to come check us 00:06:40.050 --> 00:06:41.050 out. 00:06:41.050 --> 00:06:46.300 These are one of the common things that you see on the surface, but it's not too common 00:06:46.300 --> 00:06:52.060 that you see them underwater, so that was really an exciting experience. 00:06:52.180 --> 00:06:59.340 And now, from my fin, up to Vince's paddle, let's take it up to the surface. 00:07:05.280 --> 00:07:09.300 [Vince] Thanks, so here at Monterey Bay Kayaks, we strive to educate the public on the importance 00:07:09.300 --> 00:07:10.970 of our marine sanctuary. 00:07:10.970 --> 00:07:14.440 By getting people out on the water, we get to show people how amazing our sanctuary is 00:07:14.440 --> 00:07:16.580 while our customers experience it in person. 00:07:16.580 --> 00:07:21.139 We are a great outfitter for any beginner or experienced paddler via tours, rentals, 00:07:21.139 --> 00:07:25.070 classes, and also a big retail floor. 00:07:25.070 --> 00:07:27.660 What we're seeing right now is the Elkhorn Slough. 00:07:27.660 --> 00:07:33.510 All the Slough really is, is a meandering body of water with muddy banks. 00:07:33.510 --> 00:07:41.280 The Slough goes back about 7.5 miles and it's home to a very biodiverse habitat, tons of 00:07:41.280 --> 00:07:43.120 different organisms call this place home. 00:07:43.120 --> 00:07:50.280 On any day, you will see sea otters, which everyone loves, harbor seals, and all types 00:07:50.280 --> 00:07:51.910 of different birds as well. 00:07:51.910 --> 00:07:58.240 Actually, over 350 different species migrate through the Slough a year. 00:07:58.240 --> 00:08:01.770 Very, very cool place. 00:08:01.770 --> 00:08:06.060 My experience in the ocean is I grew up in Monterey Bay actually, I get to call this 00:08:06.060 --> 00:08:07.060 place home. 00:08:07.060 --> 00:08:10.919 Grew up sailing, doing lots of surfing. 00:08:10.919 --> 00:08:16.700 And I started paddling with Monterey Bay Kayaks about three years ago, doing tours and classes, 00:08:16.700 --> 00:08:21.440 and it's been so amazing to see the reaction you get from people. 00:08:21.440 --> 00:08:25.870 We take people out on tour from all over the world, and, you know, it's a very, very famous 00:08:25.870 --> 00:08:26.870 place. 00:08:26.870 --> 00:08:31.550 When we go out on tour, you never really know what to expect, usually, you know, classic 00:08:31.550 --> 00:08:32.550 sea otters. 00:08:32.550 --> 00:08:36.389 But, you know, the birds are amazing, might even see some bat rays or leopard sharks 00:08:36.389 --> 00:08:39.029 here and there, very awesome place. 00:08:39.029 --> 00:08:43.389 So right here, good example of, you know, leading a tour, one of my customers using 00:08:43.389 --> 00:08:47.160 some binoculars to get a little bit closer look at the wildlife. 00:08:47.800 --> 00:08:51.560 Binoculars are a good way, maybe even a camera, to get a detailed look at whatever you're 00:08:51.579 --> 00:08:55.600 looking at without physically getting too close. 00:08:55.600 --> 00:09:00.879 There are some good guidelines that NOAA puts out. Right here you can see some harbor seals 00:09:00.879 --> 00:09:02.350 resting on the bank, right? 00:09:02.350 --> 00:09:06.470 So behavior is a really good way to know if you're a little bit too close. 00:09:06.470 --> 00:09:11.550 If we're too close to the wildlife, they'll kinda perch up, look at us, and maybe even 00:09:11.550 --> 00:09:12.720 run away from us. 00:09:12.720 --> 00:09:15.129 Right here we have some sleeping, resting harbor seals. 00:09:15.129 --> 00:09:18.370 These guys are nocturnal, so they’re trying to get their sleep, most of their sleep, during 00:09:18.370 --> 00:09:19.370 the day. 00:09:19.370 --> 00:09:23.720 When the night time comes they’ll go hunt, get the food that they need. 00:09:23.720 --> 00:09:30.360 But NOAA has some good guidelines of safe, respectful, wildlife viewing. 00:09:30.360 --> 00:09:31.860 So educate yourself before you get out. 00:09:31.860 --> 00:09:38.850 You can even use this right now as a good moment to figure out how to respectfully view 00:09:38.850 --> 00:09:39.910 everything. 00:09:39.910 --> 00:09:42.339 You want to keep your distance. 00:09:42.339 --> 00:09:45.579 So you don't want to get too close where you're making anything run away, like I said, binoculars 00:09:45.579 --> 00:09:48.170 are a good way to get a good look. 00:09:48.170 --> 00:09:49.170 Don't touch anything! 00:09:49.170 --> 00:09:56.050 It is wild animals so they are unpredictable, you don't know what they could do to you. 00:09:56.050 --> 00:09:59.470 Don't want to feed anything, any of the wildlife, right? 00:09:59.470 --> 00:10:05.529 You could habituate it, make them more open coming up to people, which, in turn, 00:10:05.529 --> 00:10:10.029 makes them more vulnerable to maybe vessel strikes or vandalism. 00:10:10.029 --> 00:10:13.420 Don't chase or sneak up on any of the wildlife, kinda stresses them out a lot. 00:10:13.420 --> 00:10:19.019 If you see something sick or laying out on the beach, the last thing you wanna do is 00:10:19.019 --> 00:10:22.790 kind of take matters into your own hand and help whatever is sick. 00:10:22.790 --> 00:10:26.970 Call the Marine Mammal Center, and they'll come out and take care of that for you. 00:10:26.970 --> 00:10:29.380 So, yeah, here's a good clip. 00:10:29.380 --> 00:10:33.579 You know, when you're out in the Slough, it is pretty narrow. 00:10:33.579 --> 00:10:37.300 And there are lots of wildlife, so you really want to make sure you're in the proper boat 00:10:37.300 --> 00:10:40.290 where you can move around everything, keep a good distance. 00:10:40.290 --> 00:10:44.660 So you'll see two different types of boats in this video. 00:10:44.660 --> 00:10:47.800 One of them is a closed deck, the green boat that I'm paddling, that is going to be more 00:10:47.800 --> 00:10:48.959 for experienced paddlers. 00:10:48.959 --> 00:10:54.610 The boat is a little bit more tippy, it does move quicker through the water, but it can 00:10:54.610 --> 00:10:59.960 capsize easier, and when it does capsize, you're, you know, enclosed in the boat. 00:10:59.960 --> 00:11:06.829 The open decks are really good for beginner paddlers, very maneuverable and very, very 00:11:06.829 --> 00:11:08.889 stable boats compared to those closed decks. 00:11:08.889 --> 00:11:11.791 Yeah, when you can go out, just make sure you're outfitting yourself with the proper 00:11:11.791 --> 00:11:13.149 boat. 00:11:13.149 --> 00:11:16.100 Right here we got, we're in an eelgrass bed. 00:11:16.100 --> 00:11:18.610 And if we pan over, there's a sea otter right there. 00:11:18.610 --> 00:11:22.600 So this is one of my favorite things to see on tour, because what we're watching right 00:11:22.600 --> 00:11:29.029 now is the sea otters do what they do best, which is be a keystone species to the ecosystem 00:11:29.029 --> 00:11:30.110 really wherever they're at. 00:11:30.110 --> 00:11:34.821 But in the Slough, in particular, they're a keystone species to the eelgrass. 00:11:34.821 --> 00:11:40.260 So, there's this whole new trophic scale on the Slough, we’re having an issue of the 00:11:40.260 --> 00:11:46.570 water being over-nutrified, too many nutrients in the water, which also promotes algae growth. 00:11:46.570 --> 00:11:52.280 The algae will tend to grow on that eelgrass, and in that case, the eelgrass can't, if it’s 00:11:52.290 --> 00:11:55.500 smothered algae, it can’t properly photosynthesize. 00:11:55.519 --> 00:12:02.130 But, there are Taylor’s sea hares that eat the algae off of that eelgrass, okay, so, 00:12:02.130 --> 00:12:03.329 that's really good. 00:12:03.329 --> 00:12:09.749 But, the crabs in the Slough eat those Taylor’s sea hares but the sea otters eat the crabs. 00:12:09.749 --> 00:12:16.230 Sea otters control the crab population, which means more Taylor’s sea hares, which means 00:12:16.230 --> 00:12:21.089 healthier eelgrass, because there's more Taylor’s sea hares eating that algae, and the sea otters 00:12:21.089 --> 00:12:23.720 do a really good job of it. 00:12:23.720 --> 00:12:25.879 Sea otters have a very high metabolism. 00:12:25.879 --> 00:12:31.199 They’re eating about 15 to 20%, a fourth of their body weight, in a day. 00:12:31.199 --> 00:12:36.070 You know, an average-sized sea otter is going to weigh 60 to 80 pounds. 00:12:36.070 --> 00:12:39.480 They're going to eat about 15 to 20 pounds of food in one day. 00:12:39.480 --> 00:12:42.749 So they're gonna need a lot of those crabs, those crabs hold a few ounces of meat, and 00:12:42.749 --> 00:12:44.600 they’ll eat a plethora of stuff. 00:12:44.600 --> 00:12:51.260 So, you know, you see them eating mussels, clams, innkeeper worms, abalone even. 00:12:51.260 --> 00:12:56.170 These eelgrass beds are very, very important to the Slough just because it's, like I said, 00:12:56.170 --> 00:12:57.170 a huge habitat. 00:12:57.170 --> 00:13:00.220 It also puts lots of oxygen out into the water. 00:13:00.220 --> 00:13:02.740 So yeah, we definitely want the eelgrass beds around. 00:13:02.740 --> 00:13:06.460 If we didn't have the sea otters in the Slough, it would kind of just be like a desert, I 00:13:06.460 --> 00:13:07.240 would say. 00:13:07.340 --> 00:13:13.440 Not too much life, or not as much of a biodiverse habitat in the Slough. 00:13:13.449 --> 00:13:17.259 So, yeah, when you see these sea otters, you know, you don't want to point directly at 00:13:17.259 --> 00:13:18.929 them, kinda pass parallel to them. 00:13:18.929 --> 00:13:24.889 You see this guy popped up right here, probably got a little clam in his hands. 00:13:24.889 --> 00:13:26.079 Sea otters are endangered. 00:13:26.079 --> 00:13:32.600 So it's not the best thing to have an endangered species that is also a keystone species. 00:13:32.600 --> 00:13:38.410 But the Slough has 5% of the southern sea otter population, just in the Slough alone. 00:13:38.410 --> 00:13:43.420 So the population is sitting at about 3,500, it kinda goes up and down every year. 00:13:43.420 --> 00:13:46.769 So yeah, there's about 150 sea otters in the Slough alone. 00:13:46.769 --> 00:13:50.829 So yeah, when you go out, you'll see tons of sea otters, maybe you will see a mom and 00:13:50.829 --> 00:13:53.439 pup sea otter like this. 00:13:53.439 --> 00:13:58.250 Sea otters do give birth year-round, but it does peak during the springtime. 00:13:58.250 --> 00:14:02.899 So when you see a mom and pup, this mom is busy throughout her day. 00:14:02.899 --> 00:14:06.550 Sea otters kind of live a simple lifestyle, but very busy, a lot of eating, sleeping, 00:14:06.550 --> 00:14:07.550 and grooming. 00:14:07.550 --> 00:14:12.189 And for the mom and pup, this mom is going to have to tote her pup around all day long 00:14:12.189 --> 00:14:15.839 for about the first four weeks of the pup’s life. 00:14:15.839 --> 00:14:20.459 It doesn't really have any ability of any directional swimming, so the mom’s toting 00:14:20.459 --> 00:14:26.209 it around, grooming it, feeding it, and then six months is how long this mom is going to 00:14:26.209 --> 00:14:27.910 have to take care of that pup. 00:14:27.910 --> 00:14:33.190 So not only does she have to worry about herself, but also taking care of that pup. 00:14:33.190 --> 00:14:37.339 So that's just even an extra point of not getting too close to these guys. 00:14:37.339 --> 00:14:41.749 They really, really need their time and space, for sure. 00:14:41.749 --> 00:14:46.399 The last thing I'll kind of touch on is just, you know, it's a very appealing place to paddle, 00:14:46.399 --> 00:14:47.399 right? 00:14:47.399 --> 00:14:52.259 The Elkhorn Slough, very beautiful place, but you want to make sure you're being safe 00:14:52.259 --> 00:14:53.959 for yourself. 00:14:53.959 --> 00:14:58.089 So, when you paddle, you want to check your local conditions. 00:14:58.089 --> 00:15:01.470 Checking the tides, the Slough is tidally influenced. 00:15:01.470 --> 00:15:06.470 Let's say we have a rising tide throughout the day, that water is going to be pushing 00:15:06.470 --> 00:15:09.369 you right into the Slough, farther and farther back. 00:15:09.369 --> 00:15:13.440 In the spring times and in summer times you get the windy afternoons as well. 00:15:13.440 --> 00:15:17.499 So before you go out, just kind of make sure that you're not putting yourself in a situation 00:15:17.499 --> 00:15:21.769 where you turn around and you're just like, “How am I going to get back?” 00:15:21.769 --> 00:15:25.350 So yeah, at Monterey Bay Kayaks, you know if you rent through us, we’ll orientate 00:15:25.350 --> 00:15:27.149 you and make sure you're all safe and good. 00:15:27.149 --> 00:15:30.680 But that being said, let's get stoked with Keanna, as she surfs in our sanctuary. 00:15:31.440 --> 00:15:32.580 [Keanna] Thanks, Vince. 00:15:32.820 --> 00:15:37.140 Hi, I'm 16 years old and I'm currently on the U.S. Junior Surf team. 00:15:37.149 --> 00:15:43.239 The U.S. Junior Surf team is a very prestigious team, with the top six surfers in America 00:15:43.239 --> 00:15:45.279 chosen for each age group. 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:48.639 I was lucky enough to be chosen for the Under-16 team. 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:53.670 I started surfing at 11 years old, and ever since then I've been hooked. 00:15:53.670 --> 00:15:57.420 I was lucky enough to have two parents with a love for the ocean. 00:15:57.420 --> 00:16:00.569 Both my mom and dad were professional surfers. 00:16:00.569 --> 00:16:05.290 The feeling of surfing is like no other. It's like a dance between you and the wave. 00:16:05.290 --> 00:16:10.569 As you can see in this clip, I’m dancing with the wave in a motion that is oh so special 00:16:10.569 --> 00:16:11.480 to me. 00:16:13.700 --> 00:16:17.679 Surfing is amazing because it connects so many people together in one big community. 00:16:17.679 --> 00:16:23.370 It has given me the chance to meet so many people and lifelong friends. 00:16:23.370 --> 00:16:29.050 My favorite place to surf has to be Steamers Lane, it is such a cool wave with such a 00:16:29.050 --> 00:16:32.800 beautiful background and lovely marine life. 00:16:33.920 --> 00:16:36.779 I am so lucky to be able to surf in the sanctuary. 00:16:36.780 --> 00:16:41.840 It gives me, and so many others, so much joy. 00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:46.460 There’s no place like it, and it has such a special place in my heart. 00:16:50.240 --> 00:16:54.439 Every time I visit the beach, I try to do my part and pick up trash. 00:16:54.440 --> 00:17:00.199 I also have a sponsorship with a locally-owned, reef-safe sunscreen brand. 00:17:01.340 --> 00:17:06.320 It has meant so much to me to be able to advocate for a reef-friendly sunscreen. 00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:17.100 Santa Cruz has so many varieties of different waves, whether it’s slabs, reef breaks, 00:17:17.100 --> 00:17:20.500 beach break, and just everything all-around, point breaks… 00:17:20.920 --> 00:17:23.300 You name it, Santa Cruz has it. 00:18:04.140 --> 00:18:06.060 [Paul] Wow, that was awesome. 00:18:06.380 --> 00:18:09.480 Thank you so much, Steve, and Vince, and Keanna. 00:18:09.490 --> 00:18:16.360 I also want to thank, before we go to my questions for our guests, and then your questions, audience, 00:18:16.360 --> 00:18:18.280 I want to thank the organizers. 00:18:18.280 --> 00:18:24.960 I also want to thank the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and Monterey Bay 00:18:24.960 --> 00:18:28.180 Kayaks for helping to make this program possible. 00:18:29.600 --> 00:18:32.480 So let's go to some questions for our guests. 00:18:33.100 --> 00:18:38.940 I'd like to start with just an overall question for you and it's about, you know, what draws 00:18:38.950 --> 00:18:43.300 you to the ocean, and keeps you coming back time and time again? 00:18:43.300 --> 00:18:46.120 We'll start with Steve, and then go to Vince, and then Keanna. 00:18:46.160 --> 00:18:47.160 Steve? 00:18:47.780 --> 00:18:48.780 -Sure. 00:18:49.520 --> 00:18:55.660 Part of what attracts me to the ocean is when I go diving, I'm entering that other world, 00:18:55.670 --> 00:19:00.580 and I get to explore the other world and see things that you just don't see every day. 00:19:00.580 --> 00:19:06.770 And even though I've been diving for over 30 years now, it's still a new adventure every 00:19:06.770 --> 00:19:13.300 time I go scuba diving, so that's really what makes it so attractive and exciting to me. 00:19:13.300 --> 00:19:14.380 -How about you, Vince? 00:19:14.960 --> 00:19:19.520 -Yeah, for me, it's just, I grew up here and the ocean has always been a place where I 00:19:19.520 --> 00:19:25.430 could go and just, kind of only think about being out in that type of environment. 00:19:25.430 --> 00:19:30.550 Especially in times like these, when stuff kinda gets stressful, you go out into the 00:19:30.550 --> 00:19:33.400 water and just take a deep breath, and relax. 00:19:33.400 --> 00:19:37.010 And there's a quote that I really love, and it's just, you know, the ocean or getting 00:19:37.010 --> 00:19:42.760 in the water in general, is like medicine for the soul and I 100% agree with that. 00:19:42.760 --> 00:19:47.100 It's just one of my favorite places to spend my time in, for sure. 00:19:49.060 --> 00:19:50.180 -Keanna? 00:19:50.440 --> 00:19:53.230 -For me, it's my safe place, I would say. 00:19:53.230 --> 00:19:57.810 It's somewhere where I always feel sane and just normal, like, it’s something that just 00:19:57.810 --> 00:19:59.320 takes me somewhere else. 00:20:00.320 --> 00:20:01.320 -Yeah, that's cool. 00:20:01.320 --> 00:20:07.870 I think about some of my most amazing, and yet scariest, experiences in life have been 00:20:07.870 --> 00:20:08.870 in the ocean. 00:20:08.870 --> 00:20:14.490 Maybe that's the adrenaline rush I get from being in the water. 00:20:14.490 --> 00:20:17.330 Let's go to Steve with some questions about SCUBA. 00:20:17.330 --> 00:20:20.570 How do you get started with SCUBA? 00:20:20.570 --> 00:20:25.160 And what should you be thinking about if you want to get started with SCUBA? 00:20:25.920 --> 00:20:30.280 -Well, the good news about scuba diving is it's really something that just about anybody 00:20:30.280 --> 00:20:36.260 can do, you just need to find a nationally recognized certification agency. 00:20:36.900 --> 00:20:41.000 You basically, it's like you get a driver's license to drive a car, you get a scuba license 00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:44.720 to be able to fill your tanks and go out scuba diving. 00:20:45.140 --> 00:20:51.100 And really, it's just finding someone who's going to train you to what you want to do, 00:20:51.100 --> 00:20:53.160 there's so many different certifications out there. 00:20:53.160 --> 00:20:57.330 You can just get certified to just go exploring, and that's all you do. 00:20:57.330 --> 00:21:03.180 Or you can get trained in underwater photography, underwater archeology, or do things like I 00:21:03.180 --> 00:21:04.800 do: science underwater. 00:21:04.800 --> 00:21:09.620 So it's really just up to you, but find that nationally recognized certification agency, 00:21:09.620 --> 00:21:11.040 and you'll be on your way. 00:21:11.960 --> 00:21:17.460 -I have a good friend who's an ex-navy SEAL and he has dove all over the world, and I 00:21:17.470 --> 00:21:20.790 asked him one time, “If you had one dive left in your life, where would you go?” 00:21:20.790 --> 00:21:24.850 And he kinda surprised me, because he's been all over the world, and he said Point 00:21:24.850 --> 00:21:29.010 Lobos, right here in our own sanctuary, which I thought was really cool. 00:21:29.010 --> 00:21:32.600 What about you, Steve? Where's your favorite place to dive in the sanctuary? 00:21:33.380 --> 00:21:38.580 -Well, Point Lobos is close, but I'd rather go just a little bit south down the coast 00:21:38.580 --> 00:21:40.980 in the Big Sur area. 00:21:40.980 --> 00:21:44.170 It's a place that people don't go very often. 00:21:44.170 --> 00:21:49.080 There's not many people living along the land and let alone the ocean is very hard to access. 00:21:49.080 --> 00:21:53.890 We go down there, sometimes for three or four days and sleep on the boat in order to dive and 00:21:53.890 --> 00:21:58.880 explore these areas within the sanctuary, where really, very few people have gone. 00:21:58.880 --> 00:22:03.250 And so that's probably, if I had one dive left to do would be down along the Big Sur 00:22:03.250 --> 00:22:04.320 coastline. 00:22:05.020 --> 00:22:09.600 - And what's the coolest thing you've ever seen, while you’ve been scuba diving in the sanctuary? 00:22:10.080 --> 00:22:14.640 Well, the story I tell everybody is one that's kinda etched in my mind, which was back 00:22:14.640 --> 00:22:22.280 in 1998, I was diving with some students, and we were heading back towards Eric's Pinnacle 00:22:22.280 --> 00:22:28.060 off the coast of Pacific Grove right here in Monterey Bay, and I was the last one in line. 00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:32.240 And the two divers were in front of me, and I noticed this out of my peripheral vision, 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:38.350 this really large, dark object swimming pretty close to me, and I thought it was just a really 00:22:38.350 --> 00:22:39.890 big sea lion. 00:22:39.890 --> 00:22:44.220 And when I turn to look, there's a gray whale looking back at me. 00:22:44.220 --> 00:22:50.180 And I was, I just started breathing hard, and it just kinda cruised along. 00:22:50.180 --> 00:22:54.590 And so I immediately swam, you know, the couple of meters to my buddies to kind of grab them 00:22:54.590 --> 00:22:56.370 and go, “Did you see that?” 00:22:56.370 --> 00:23:00.780 And I wrote on my slate, WHALE, and they're like, “No, we didn't see it.” 00:23:00.780 --> 00:23:04.250 And they were, you know, I could tell they were disappointed underwater, so we said, 00:23:04.250 --> 00:23:09.490 “Well, let's just, let's just sit here and wait, and maybe the whale will come back.” 00:23:09.490 --> 00:23:11.270 And the whole time, I'm thinking, there's no way. 00:23:11.270 --> 00:23:12.270 That was it. 00:23:12.270 --> 00:23:13.740 No one's gonna ever believe me. 00:23:13.740 --> 00:23:17.000 Then, sure enough, the whale comes swimming back. 00:23:17.000 --> 00:23:20.740 Now, in this case, with its right eye looking at us. 00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:25.030 You know, we're the oddballs in the ocean, it's checking us out. 00:23:25.030 --> 00:23:30.070 And then we were so excited, we were high-fiving underwater, and we thought, “Hey, 00:23:30.070 --> 00:23:32.840 let's wait one more time. Maybe it'll come back.” 00:23:32.840 --> 00:23:37.540 And sure enough, it came back, and then it was looking at us with its left eye. 00:23:37.540 --> 00:23:41.580 And that's something that I'll remember till the day I die, it was just phenomenal to see 00:23:41.580 --> 00:23:49.130 this 30-foot long, massive animal, just cruising by checking us out in a very leisurely fashion. 00:23:49.980 --> 00:23:51.700 -Wow, that's really cool. 00:23:52.460 --> 00:23:57.520 Vince, I’ve gotta go to you next, man, you make kayaking seem so easy. 00:23:57.530 --> 00:24:01.810 And I know firsthand that it's not that easy, but, you know, getting started is kind of 00:24:01.810 --> 00:24:05.220 a hurdle for some people. 00:24:05.220 --> 00:24:09.700 How hard is it to learn, and what would you suggest for somebody who wants to get started? 00:24:10.420 --> 00:24:14.360 -Kayaking is one of those things where, you know, you get out there and you'll feel it 00:24:14.370 --> 00:24:18.880 out probably in like less than an hour, right? 00:24:18.880 --> 00:24:24.700 You could either be super into it, touring around the bay doing big paddles in those closed 00:24:24.700 --> 00:24:28.350 decks, or you could be just a weekend paddler. 00:24:28.350 --> 00:24:29.900 Those open decks are great for the beginners. 00:24:29.900 --> 00:24:36.630 And, you know, you can just find a rental place, like Monterey Bay Kayaks, and go rent 00:24:36.630 --> 00:24:43.280 a kayak and kind of get informed about everything you need to know about: weather, paddling, 00:24:43.280 --> 00:24:45.760 safety things. 00:24:45.760 --> 00:24:50.150 And it's not too tough, I've seen a lot of different people do it. 00:24:50.560 --> 00:24:54.680 -Do you recommend people take a class or go out on a tour first before they go solo? 00:24:55.690 --> 00:25:01.810 -Yeah. Yeah, definitely, I think a tour is a really good way to not only kind of be maybe a little 00:25:01.810 --> 00:25:06.260 bit more comfortable, with the guide, but also, there's tons of different stuff happening 00:25:06.260 --> 00:25:12.440 around you that maybe a tour guide could point out, and kinda talk about the local flora 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:14.740 and fauna of the area. 00:25:15.860 --> 00:25:20.720 -Your video focused on Elkhorn Slough, which is so beautiful, but there's so many other 00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:22.110 places to kayak. 00:25:22.110 --> 00:25:27.460 Where do you recommend for other places and what's your favorite place to go? 00:25:27.900 --> 00:25:32.260 -So my favorite place to paddle is definitely Point Lobos, getting next to those huge rock 00:25:32.260 --> 00:25:37.440 structures and there's a little bit of swell to play around too. 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:42.340 But for just anybody, I mean, we have a location at the Elkhorn Slough and also in Monterey 00:25:42.340 --> 00:25:43.340 Bay. 00:25:43.340 --> 00:25:46.310 You can get yourself along the Cannery Row and the kelp forests, and you can just sit 00:25:46.310 --> 00:25:50.220 there for, you know, however long you want. 00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:55.630 An hour, three hours, five hours, and you just look at all the stuff that's happening 00:25:55.630 --> 00:25:56.630 around you. 00:25:56.630 --> 00:26:00.990 It's like a bustling little city under you and above you with all the birds and sea otters 00:26:00.990 --> 00:26:02.340 popping up and stuff. 00:26:02.860 --> 00:26:06.420 -What's the coolest thing that you've ever seen out on your kayak in Monterey Bay? 00:26:07.280 --> 00:26:09.570 Classic, classic whale sighting. 00:26:09.570 --> 00:26:14.880 I was on a tour, it was actually some girl’s 16th birthday, she did a private tour. 00:26:14.880 --> 00:26:19.310 And she made everyone put on little pink tutus, I put one on too. 00:26:19.310 --> 00:26:23.260 And I think there was something magical with that, because then we'd paddled around the 00:26:23.260 --> 00:26:27.420 jetty in Monterey and we had two fin whales pop up right next to us. 00:26:27.420 --> 00:26:34.670 So fin whales are pretty rare to see, especially not too, too far from land. 00:26:34.670 --> 00:26:37.970 So I think that would have to be the coolest thing. 00:26:37.970 --> 00:26:42.130 Plus, just being in a tutu is pretty funny and then having a whale just pop up next to 00:26:42.130 --> 00:26:43.120 you. 00:26:43.600 --> 00:26:46.240 -That's a great story. 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:47.240 Let's go to Keanna. 00:26:47.240 --> 00:26:51.910 Keanna, you are an amazing surfer, it's so much fun to watch that video, and I've seen 00:26:51.910 --> 00:26:54.140 it a few times to watch you surf. 00:26:54.140 --> 00:26:55.380 You make it seem so easy. 00:26:55.380 --> 00:27:00.920 What do you suggest for the newcomer to the sport to get started? 00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:03.720 And where are some beginner places to go? 00:27:04.900 --> 00:27:10.720 -In our Monterey Bay, I would definitely recommend starting out at Cowell’s, and then for boards, 00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:15.140 I would definitely recommend a Wave Storm, because they're the easiest, most generic 00:27:15.140 --> 00:27:16.060 beginner board. 00:27:16.680 --> 00:27:17.180 -Okay. 00:27:17.860 --> 00:27:23.900 And where are some great spots for beginners, and maybe more advanced surfers that you know of? 00:27:24.420 --> 00:27:30.400 -For beginners, I would definitely recommend Cowell’s, like I said, and then for more advanced surfers, 00:27:30.410 --> 00:27:34.210 I'd recommend spots like the Point and the Lane. 00:27:34.210 --> 00:27:35.380 Those two are really good. 00:27:35.810 --> 00:27:36.800 -Okay. 00:27:36.810 --> 00:27:40.920 And so, the same question for the others, I gotta ask you, what's the coolest 00:27:40.920 --> 00:27:44.200 thing you've seen while out on your surfboard in Monterey Bay? 00:27:45.480 --> 00:27:50.000 -There's a lot, but definitely, the coolest thing I've seen is an elephant seal swimming 00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:52.590 with all of us in the lineup at the Lane. 00:27:52.590 --> 00:27:57.900 It was really interesting, because I've never seen an elephant seal that close to the surface before. 00:27:58.880 --> 00:28:00.520 -That's awesome. 00:28:00.520 --> 00:28:04.710 Well, I want to thank you guys again, and we're gonna take some questions from the 00:28:04.710 --> 00:28:06.510 public, from the audience. 00:28:06.510 --> 00:28:12.550 And it was great to have you on the program and to see your amazing video to get a sense 00:28:12.550 --> 00:28:16.150 of what it's like to dive and to kayak and to surf. 00:28:16.150 --> 00:28:21.560 So thanks again, so much, for being on to Get Into Your Sanctuary. 00:28:21.560 --> 00:28:22.560 Take care. 00:28:22.560 --> 00:28:23.060 -Thanks Paul!