Before there were documentaries and marine biologists who changed everything…there was a simpler time…where all we dreamed of visiting Shamu, and sitting in the splash zone. The wetsuit wearing trainers would coax humongous black and white whales into doing unimaginable tricks for a handful of small fish. Shamu would jump through hoops or bounce a ball on their nose. Eventually you’d see a jumping twist, with a tail flip that resulted in everyone in the first few rows getting drenched! It was glorious.

We watched “Free Willy” with MJ tracks playing while whales jumped gracefully to freedom. This was a different era, when we didn’t know any better. This shirt (pictured below and available on RVC shop) is vibrant, colorful, textured, and fun. That’s what the 90’s were for many of us. Apparently, not so much for Shamu.

When I Grow Up…

As it turns out, big fish tanks are not where these majestic, ocean-living creatures thrive. Ironically, in the height of the “Save the Planet” social movement, we somehow continued confining Orcas to theme park tanks. They weren’t okay. The Orcas were unhealthy, cramped, and sad. They started acting out. Their fins wouldn’t stand up straight.

There were problems that science began to uncover. While it was amazing to be so close to these amazing creatures, the experience may have had its demise baked in. It seem that the more people were inspired by Orcas, the more they wanted to study them. And the more little kids grew up to be Marine Biologists, and the more they researched, the more they realized…this isn’t good for the Orcas.

So, we as a species we, now, rightly do our best to make sure Orcas spend their days living in open waters. That means all that’s left of the Sea World Orca Splash Zone experience is memories and souvenirs. In some small way, maybe we can honor Killer Whales Orcas with a shirt like this?

Ironic Twist

While getting within twenty feet of live Orcas isn’t as easy as a theme park ticket anymore, it turns out Orcas have turned the tables a bit. This decade has included many reports of Orcas bringing the Splash Zone to people, whether they wanted a ticket or not!

The moral of the story is this – if you’re on a boat in the Iberian region, you may unintentionally experience a massive role reversal of one of the most 90s to y2k experiences ever! The Splash Zone is back! But, this time we’re the ones in the tank, and the Orcas are having all the fun!