Thirteen years ago, I visited Sea World San Antonio with a close friend. We entered the White Whale and Dolphin Stadium where a trainer was observing the animals in the front pool. “You have my dream job!” I said after introducing myself. “What do I need to do to become a trainer?”
This is the answer I received…
You have to love animals. You need to be strong team player. You need patience. Every applicant is required to pass a swim test. We require a high school diploma, though a college background in marine biology or psychology is preferred. Applicants must be certified SCUBA divers before receiving an invitation to participate in the swim test.
You must swim a distance of 250 feet in less than one minute and twenty seconds and swim 125 feet underwater taking only one breath. Applicants must also dive into the pool from a six foot platform then surface dive to the bottom of the pool. By the way, in the Whale and Dolphin Stadium that pool is 25 feet deep. After retrieving a dive weight from the bottom, you must pull yourself onto a ledge that is one foot above the surface of the water. Once you are completely out of breath, we test your skills on the microphone.
Trainers that work at Shamu Theatre are required to swim to the bottom of its main show pool – a depth of 40 feet. They are also required to be leap up to the top of the six foot glass that encloses the pool and also to lift themselves out of the water onto a wall that is two feet above the surface.
I listened intently to her answers as did my friend. Both of us were brimming with excitement. I realized in that moment that my dream could become reality and nothing would stand in my way.
Now, I get to share my dream with so many each day in our killer whale show at Shamu Theatre called “Believe. Dedication, hard work, and persistence have taken me through the journey of a lifetime and have enabled me to reach heights I never thought possible. So remember, anything is possible as long as you BELIEVE.
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Tags: Dolphin, Killer Whale, Orca, SeaWorld San Antonio, shamu, Trainer, Training, Whale
Posted in Around the Park, News, animals
Absolutely ! Always be positive and Believe in your Dreams !
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RT @seaworldcomm: Are you interested in what it takes to become a whale and dolphin trainer? Here is a primer. [link to post] #swsa
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Twitter Comment
Are you interested in what it takes to become a whale and dolphin trainer? Here is a primer. [link to post] #swsa
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @seaworldcomm Are you interested in what it takes to become a whale and dolphin trainer? Here is a primer. [link to post] #swsa
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I want to be an orca trainer SO BAD! I love all the orcas at SeaWorld
Thanks for the detailed info.
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@davesalmoni Hey David, if you want to work with a killer whale, here is what one of our trainers says to do
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RT @davesalmoni Hey all you aspiring animal trainers, here is some advice on how to get your dream job @seaworldcomm: [link to post]
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Every time I see the ‘Believe’ show, I get tears in my eyes because it is so beautiful to me to see these massive creatures interacting with humans the way they do. It’s wonderful. I LOVEEE it!
I have ALWAYS loved orcas and dolphins, and it has been my dream to become a trainer since I was little bitty. To be able to interact with these animals would be an indescribable experience for me. Unfortunately, I have never been a strong swimmer, nor have I ever been able to hold my breath that long…. Does anyone have any suggestions for me so that I may fulfill my life-long dream? Swim lessons? Breathing exercises? etc…???
Some suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated.
Well if you take lessons for swimming you will be come a stronger swimmer, and you could ask your teacher for breathing techniques.You might also want to look into diving as well. I am not a trainer, but I to aspire to one day train orcas! Good Luck!
I’m eager to accept resumes from people who are interested in a career as an animal trainer. Send them to me at Chuck.Cureau@SeaWorld.com