Sea lion lands on canoe during Monterey Bay race
A sea lion jumped onto an outrigger canoe during the Monterey Hoe Wa’a race on May 23. The animal left the boat within seconds and no one was injured. The team finished third.
New York PostA sea lion jumped onto an outrigger canoe during the Monterey Hoe Wa’a race on May 23. The incident occurred in Monterey Bay while the vessel carried paddlers from Outrigger Santa Cruz. Video recorded on a 360-degree camera shows the animal landing on the canoe with its mouth open.
Paddlers attempted to steady the boat in choppy water. Channing Baker, seated in position three, said the sudden impact caused her to scream. She initially believed the animal was a shark.
Race outcome The team’s stroker kept paddling after the sea lion departed.
Alan Luckow, who loaned the camera, said the stroker maintained control and prevented the canoe from tipping. Outrigger Santa Cruz placed third in the race. Luckow told KTVU the encounter left a slimy trail on the stroker but caused no injuries to people or the animal. Luckow added that the team later posted the footage on Instagram with the caption “So this happened.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
3 events- May 23, 2026
Sea lion lands on Outrigger Santa Cruz canoe during Monterey Hoe Wa’a race.
1 sourceNew York Post - May 23, 2026
Animal slips back into water after leaving slimy trail on stroker.
1 sourceNew York Post - May 28, 2026
Alan Luckow and Channing Baker describe incident to KTVU.
1 sourceNew York Post
Potential Impact
- 01
Footage shared on Instagram may increase interest in the Monterey Hoe Wa’a race.
- 02
Local media coverage could draw attention to marine life interactions during water events.
Transparency Panel
Related Stories
France 24Russian Drone Strikes Romanian Apartment Building, Injuring Two
A Russian drone crashed into a residential building in eastern Romania during an overnight attack on Ukraine. Two people were injured and Romania requested faster NATO anti-drone support.
realitytea.comTrump Says U.S. Will Lift Iran Naval Blockade After Nuclear and Hormuz Pledges
President Trump stated the U.S. will end its naval blockade of Iran once Tehran commits to forgoing nuclear weapons and opens the Strait of Hormuz to unrestricted shipping. The announcement came via Truth Social and a live statement.
dnaindia.comLebanese President Urges Ceasefire in Call With U.S. Secretary of State
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the need for a ceasefire with Israel. Israeli and Lebanese military delegations met at the Pentagon on the same day.