SAMMY, THE SURFIN’ ALPACA, SPOTTED IN SO CAL

By admin

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.”

[Via Voltwire PDF]