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Trainers formulate the game plan for the day
| This is the pool where "Dine with Shamu" has moved to.So the routines have to be worked out in the "new" environment.
| This pool was used for the "Shamu show during the reconstruction of the Shamu Stadium for the "Believe" show.
| Here Shamu 'beaches' next to the 'new' dinie with Shamu tables on the left.
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Trainers use scuba gear during some of their training.
| 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.
| The whales remember most of their routine and where to jump with small prompts including music.
| 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.
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A forward jump away from the diners. It takes enormous power to lift a few tons of whale that high above the water.
| This jump, landing on Shamu's side will splash, but away from the diners.
| Riding on Shamu's belly while swimming alongside the diners.
| Preparing to be pushed by Shamu to bodysurf in front of him.
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Shamu beached, to say hello to diners on the other side.
| The tables are behind that black 'curtain' which is no longer there.
| The rocks by the passage channel to the other pools is a "Splash Zone" and has a shelf for trainers.
| The whales also respond to whistle signals...
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food and ice cubes are treats and rewards.
| as well as hand and arm gestures.
| The whales form a close rapport with the trainers.
| 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.
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The people on the right behind the glass are in the splash zone and could get wet.
| Trainers and orcas know each other.
| and are always ready for food, which is fed from marked buckets to make sure...
| they all get their 'fair' and required share.
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in spite of occasional competition for it.
| 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.
| This is by the connectin channel, the scale is on the right..
| The trainer gets Shamu on the scale.
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Mommy Shamu's big grin from the scale.
| Of course, baby Shamu has to join mom on the scale, or is she trying to push her off?
| There, that's the right way to get weighed in.
| The scale must be an attractive hang-out place.
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