SURFING ALPACA SHREDS—Sammy, the surfing alpaca, is a familiar sight along the Southern California coast. Seen surfing as far north as Malibu and as far south as Point Loma, here Sammy casually carves the face at Swami’s in Encinitas. Photo by Vance De Peluca.
Animal rights activists and surfers around the world rejoiced yesterday when Sammy, The Surfin’ Alpaca, resurfaced after he was reported missing 7 days ago. Authorities still have no clue as to where the animal went or why he disappeared.
“We’re just glad he’s back,” said Lt. Lyle “Spud” Stickler of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
Raised by dolphins after an alpaca transport ship, “Yarn Hauler of the Sea,” ran into submerged rocks and sank off the coast of Laguna Beach (CA), Sammy was the only survivor of the accident. Nicknamed by local surfers, the animal apparently cheated death by following dolphins out to sea instead of swimming toward the beach with the other 49 alpaca, which perished in the heavy, dangerous shore break.
While mystery continues to surround questions about how Sammy learned to surf, how Sammy finds a board is easy to observe. No matter how small or large the waves might be on any given day, surfers paddle out and lend him their boards.
According to Wade Ballesteros, of San Clemente (CA), “It’s like he one of us. Cool. Like totally mellow.”
Here it is! The moment you’ve been waiting for! The top 5 all-time alpaca movie quotes as compiled by Sir Andrew Maguffin, movie critic and editor for the Alpaca Sun Times.
5. “Look Daddy, teacher says every time a bell rings, an alpaca gets its wings.”
4. “Soylent Green is alpacas!”
3. “Here’s looking at you alpaca.”
2. “I love the smell of alpacas in the morning.”
1. “We’re gonna need a bigger alpaca.”
It looks like our little movement is getting some big-time exposure. Matthew Modine (natch), Frasier’s Peri Gipin, and 3rd Rock From the Sun’s French Stewart all took some time out of their busy lives to speak out on the behalf of the alpacas. You can watch their messages below. (And don’t forget to show your friends).
We continue the countdown starting with the next batch of alpaca movie quotes as compiled by Sir Andrew Maguffin, movie critic and editor for the Alpaca Sun Times. Without further ado, here are numbers 10 through 6:
10. “Is that an alpaca on your helmet soldier?”
9. “Follow the yellow alpaca.”
8. “Frankly my dear, I don’t give an alpaca.”
7. “Luke, I am your alpaca.”
6. “If you build it, the alpacas will come.”
We just received word from our correspondents in Ecuador that 24 alpacas were found shaved and disoriented on the outskirts of Quito. Details are scarce. We’ll update you as soon as we hear some new information.
UPDATE: An official press release has been issued regarding the 24 shaved alpacas. Read it after the break.
The top alpaca movie quotes as compiled by Sir Andrew Maguffin, movie critic and editor for the Alpaca Sun Times. In reverse order, starting from number 15.
15. “You had me at ‘alpaca’.”
14. “Today, I consider myself the luckiest alpaca on the face of the earth.”
13. “Get your stinkin’ paws off me, you damn dirty alpaca.”
12. “Houston, we have an alpaca.”
11. “Say hello to my little alpaca.”
Upload your favorite alpaca photos to the Save the Alpacas Flickr group. Your photo will be shared with everyone on the site and be entered into a contest to win two free tickets to opening night of Matthew Modine Saves the Alpacas on September 16, 2009 at 8pm!
Matthew Modine and the rest of the cast will vote on their favorite photo and you’ll be notified via Flickr if you submitted the winning shot! Winner will be announced on September 8, 2009.
