Nov. 2008 1

“Trainer for a Day”Dolphin Research CenterGrassy Key, Florida

Ty Gumerman

November 20, 2008

Nov. 2008 2

Trainer For A Day

Trainer for a Day Program at Dolphin Research CenterNon-Profit dedicated to research on

Dolphins

Nov. 2008 3

Playing Ball

I am playing with DRC dolphin Tanner.

Nov. 2008 4

Playing Fetch

We are doing retrieving with Tanner. He’s bringing back a nylon frisbee. It was very difficult for him to retrieve because it was slipping off his rostrum.

Nov. 2008 5

Tanner Jumping

Here’s Tanner doing a jump for us. The jumps are very graceful.

Nov. 2008 6

Pax Painting a T-Shirt

Then I met Pax, and he painted a t-shirt for me in light blue and orange.

Nov. 2008 7

Pax’s Painting

This is my t-shirt. What a wonderful artist Pax is.

Nov. 2008 8

Dolphin Stationing

I was doing something called “stationing” with Talon. Stationing means getting their attention.

Nov. 2008 9

Signaling for Speed

Now, I’m giving Talon the signal “Speed”.

Nov. 2008 10

Dolphin Freight Trains

There’s Talon Speeding along! Isn’t he like a freight train?

Nov. 2008 11

Two hand signals

Here we’re stationing again. But this time my dad has to join me.

Nov. 2008 12

Up in the Air Junior Bird Dolphin

What we signaled was “Circle”. Talon is doing a Circle Jump.

Nov. 2008 13

Flying Dolphin

Here’s Talon doing more Circles. He’ll keep doing Circles until I blow on my whistle.

Nov. 2008 14

Dolphin Aerobatics

I signaled for Talon to do a “Twirl”. It’s basically a normal jump but with an Aileron roll (a twist).

Nov. 2008 15

Tail Walk – Getting Ready

Here I’m stationing Talon, getting him ready to do a Tail Walk.

Nov. 2008 16

Tail Walk – the Signal

Here I’m giving Talon the signal to do the Tail Walk. Basically, you put your hand up flat and you push forward.

Nov. 2008 17

Tail Walk – the start

Talon is doing his Tail Walk.

Imagine yourself able to kick your legs in your pool hard enough to push yourself up out of the water and move backwards so fast at the same time.

Nov. 2008 18

Tail Walk – Just About Finished

Talon continued his Tail Walk until he got to his fastest point and then I blew my whistle for him to stop. It’s the same with Circle, except for Circle, you blow it at his highest point.

Nov. 2008 19

Beaching Dolphins

Here’s Talon up on the dock. The trainers teach the dolphins to do this so that they can do things like check their teeth and weigh them.

Nov. 2008 20

Backrub

I’m doing my Dolphin Swim. I am in a wet suit because the water is 70 degrees, and that’s pretty cold. Here I’m giving a backrub to Gypsy.

Nov. 2008 21

Handshakes with Dolphins

I am doing a handshake with Tursi.

Nov. 2008 22

Dolphin Kisses

Here I’m getting a Dolphin Kiss. Their lip bone is very hard, so you put it against your cheek.

Nov. 2008 23

Bobbing Dolphins

Here we’re doing “Imitations”. I am bobbing in the water, and the dolphins do exactly that – they bob up and down in the water.

Nov. 2008 24

Dolphin Ride

Here I am getting a ride with Jax and Tursi. It’s like having two massive freight trains pulling you along behind them.

Nov. 2008 25

Finishing the Ride

The Dolphin Ride was great. And Hey, it’s the first time I’ve done this alone. I was inspired to try to get other people to save dolphins.