Way back this winter (note the snow, ugh), Chacoda the harbor seal gave visitors a clinic on porpoising. Porpoising is when a seal (or any marine animal) bursts out of the water, usually in a graceful arc. It's a skill that this harbor seal has down pat! Since it's never too late to share awesome video, check out this slow-motion clip of Chuck getting some air.

 

Chacoda was born on June 8, 1995. He'll be 20 next month! He is part of our spotted family of seals. You can distinguish him from other seals in the exhibit by looking for the dark spots all along his belly and his large nostrils (especially compared to his sister Cayenne, who has more petite features).

That face!

Let's air things out and see how marine animals leap out of the water:

• The sea lions make it look easy
• Sierra has learned how to get some serious air
• Sometimes the rockhopper penguins get in a porpoising frenzy
• A while back we practiced synchronized porpoising with the harbor seals
• The seals and sea lions do a lot of porpoising when they play
• And even humpback whales can breach the water's surface!

At the Aquarium's New Balance Foundation Marine Mammal Center, Sierra the California sea lion has been practicing her porpoising skills, and she's getting pretty good.

Check out her moves in the video below.




See Sierra loll about in a spray of water, play in the snow (remember that stuff?) and play with a garden hose.

Spectator isn't a word usually applied to our sea lions, Zoe and Sierra. These two are most often seen moving around the New Balance Foundation Marine Mammal Center at top speed, whether they're zipping through the water, porpoising or slaloming down the ramp that leads to the behind-the-scenes area. But in the video below Zoe and Sierra prove there are lots of ways to add exercise to your day, even when you are being a spectator.

It's been well-established that the sea lions are an active pair here, here, here and here. Sometimes they're so lightning-fast it's hard to see them! We thought we'd take a moment to slow things down a bit and see just how athletic this pair is.

Let's take porpoising, for example. Porpoising is when an animals leaps out of the water while swimming. Penguins do it. The harbor seals do it. So do the sea lions! Can you see how Zoe and Sierra take a big stroke with their front flippers to propel themselves out of the water?



It takes agility in the water, strength to leap into the air and, of course, a lot of spunk to make it look so easy and fun! So come by to see the sea lions. Don't blink and you might just see them get some air!

We recently saw how our California sea lion Zoe could really get some air during her training session with Kathy. Well now it's Sierra's turn to show off. She's been working with Justin on a high porpoising skill. What do you think? Pretty high, right?


We thought this was a great skill to include in our Fitness Friday series because it highlights the strength and fitness of our sea lions. Sierra has to get a good swimming start, then she has to spring into the air. Quite the spectacle. You can bet she's staying cool in the pool, too!

It's tough to work out on a 90-degree day. But if you have a nice big pool and an energetic friend, you can get plenty of exercise. Our new Northern fur seal pup, Leu, and Sierra the California sea lion show you how it's done. Watch them porpoise, tumble in the water, chase each other and generally have a great time.



Come to the New Balance Foundation Marine Mammal Center to meet Leu and watch him frolic with his friends. And check out more of Leu's antics here, here and here.