Sea lion takes a ride with kayaking California family

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Feb. 18 (UPI) -- A California family out kayaking on Valentine's Day recorded the moment a young sea lion climbed aboard their boat for a free ride.

Rodney Gist of Fullerton said he was in the kayak with his 10-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son in Santa Barbara harbor Saturday when the sea lion made its first appearance.

"At first it felt like he was pushing the kayak. We felt him back there," Gist told KTLA-TV. "Next thing you know, I could tell he had climbed aboard."

"It's a wild animal so we're a little bit ... interested in seeing how he would behave," Gist said.

Gist told KABC-TV the sea lion was soon "snuggling up next to" him.

Gist's wife and 8-year-old daughter watched the events from nearby.

"My wife is somewhat freaking out, thinking about this experience, this wild animal on board with us," Gist told KEYT-TV.

However, the sea lion remained on board the kayak for more than an hour without any misbehavior.

"Maybe he just was tired of swimming. Maybe he was wanting to interact with people. Maybe he just wanted to snuggle," said Gist's daughter, Lee Lee, who was with him in the kayak.

Gist said the sea lion, which he dubbed "Cecil," was "playful like a dog."

"About five, 10 minutes in, I was able to touch him and pet him. He was putting his head up underneath my arm, trying to get on my lap," Gist said. "I thought he was going to be slimy. He was more like a dry, short-haired dog is what it felt like."