Dancing with dolphins
After we familiarise ourselves with the mammal’s anatomy, it is time to learn some commands to make it perform tricks. Our first command is to make both Isa and Singa swim across the pool, jump high in the air and touch our palms on their rostrum or beak.
After many oohs and aahs, we move on to more amazing moves and tricks! Believe it or not, we dance the ballet together with them! We also play a peek-a-boo trick — we cover our faces with our palms and they screech when we show our faces. Just like how we play peek-a-boo with children.
Isa can imitate the sound of a motorcycle and fetch a ball. We also swim or flap together with her while holding her pectoral fins.
Then there’s the cuddle and kiss session. We cuddle and kiss the dolphins’ beaks and get them to kiss our cheeks in return. Major photo opportunity here. I can’t wipe the smile off my face throughout the time I am in the pool. When I ask Sarah about the mammals’ temperaments, the petite instructor says their behaviours are exactly like children. There are times when they simply don’t want to follow instructions and refuse to play along, so the instructors have to let the dolphins be and only attend to them after they are done acting out.
But our intimate session isn’t over yet as the best is yet to come. Then, it’s time for the dolphins to propel us across the huge pool while we are on a body board.
It is exhilarating! My heart is thumping with excitement and the push is surprisingly gentle with not too much force from them. Their beak is a bit hard and the thrust used to propel us take us by surprise.
After the Dolphin Programme ends, I realise how calming it is. There is a sense of serenity after spending time playing with these gentle creatures. No wonder Dolphin Island also caters to special needs visitors and senior citizens.