Outstanding - John Osborne, Sat, 4 Nov 2006 11:40AM
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9 Trainers formulate the game plan for the day
10 This is the pool where "Dine with Shamu" has moved to.So the routines have to be worked out in the "new" environment.
11 This pool was used for the "Shamu show during the reconstruction of the Shamu Stadium for the "Believe" show.
12 Here Shamu 'beaches' next to the 'new' dinie with Shamu tables on the left.
13 Trainers use scuba gear during some of their training.
14 The white 'football' on a pole is used for location and when 'slapped' hard on the water surface indicates to the whale where to jump.
15 The whales remember most of their routine and where to jump with small prompts including music.
16 See how close to the wall, where the dining tables now are Shamu jumps! The re-entry from this jump is with minimal splash as not to dilute the dinner or wet the diners.
17 A forward jump away from the diners. It takes enormous power to lift a few tons of whale that high above the water.
18 This jump, landing on Shamu's side will splash, but away from the diners.
19 Riding on Shamu's belly while swimming alongside the diners.
20 Preparing to be pushed by Shamu to bodysurf in front of him.
21 Shamu beached, to say hello to diners on the other side.
22 The tables are behind that black 'curtain' which is no longer there.
23 The rocks by the passage channel to the other pools is a "Splash Zone" and has a shelf for trainers.
24 The whales also respond to whistle signals...
25 food and ice cubes are treats and rewards.
26 as well as hand and arm gestures.
27 The whales form a close rapport with the trainers.
28 Some of the training addresses their health, such as physical and oral inspections. They also need to draw blood on a regular basis to maintain their health.
29 The people on the right behind the glass are in the splash zone and could get wet.
30 Trainers and orcas know each other.
31 and are always ready for food, which is fed from marked buckets to make sure...
32 they all get their 'fair' and required share.
33 in spite of occasional competition for it.
34 This is one of the two large holding basins, where 'Dine with Shamu" used to be. You can see 'mom' on the shelf and 'baby' Shamu in the back.
35 This is by the connectin channel, the scale is on the right..
