Most domestic cats are afraid of water. However, Hōkūleʻa, an adorable feline from Hawaii, is an exception. Not only does he like swimming in the ocean, but he also loves surfing and riding the waves.
Meet Hōkūleʻa, the surfing cat
Pat and Alessia, the human parents of Hōkūleʻa, described their surfing adventures in a video on the Dodo YouTube channel. Pat said that when the couple catches waves, Hōkūleʻa walks up to the nose of the surfboard and “hangs out there like he’s hanging 10.” Alessia also described how the feline would jump off the surfboard and swim to her when she was in the water, and then go back to the board again.
Pat added, “Hōkūleʻa loves what Hawaii has to offer. He’s enjoying the surroundings and the motion of the ocean — as we are too.”
Hōkūleʻa followed his parents to the shower — and didn’t mind the water
The couple got Hōkūleʻa from the Humane Society when he was just a kitten. Alessia described how he had a “very sweet look on him.” Hōkūleʻa was very shy — and would hide under the bed and under the sheets.
However, gradually, the cat warmed up to the couple. And this warming up turned to attachment as Hōkūleʻa followed them everywhere, including the shower. He was curious, so he’d jump in the shower too.
Hōkūleʻa just wanted to be close to his parents — and didn’t mind the water or any splashes. He even would go outside when it rained. There’s also an amusing shot in the video of the cat riding down a waterslide into a swimming pool.
The water-loving feline goes to the beach — and rides his first wave
Seeing how much Hōkūleʻa likes water activities, Pat and Alessia thought that he might enjoy the beach too. So, they took him to a secluded beach in Hawaii. He loved playing in the sand — as if it were a giant litter box.
Hōkūleʻa then approached the water’s edge and enjoyed the experience. After that, he took off swimming. He immediately showed that he is a natural swimmer, paddling effortlessly in the ocean.
Pat had his surfboard there, so he placed Hōkūleʻa on it and paddled out to some small waves. He caught the first wave laying down close to the cat, who seemed to really enjoy it as he was perched at the edge of the board.
Surfing cat gets into ‘zen mode’
Pat wanted Hōkūleʻa to feel comfortable and safe while surfing, so he built him a custom board. He added a little enclosure, cut from a boogie board into a diamond shape. It keeps the cat more secure while surfing, partially shielded from the wind, and the feeling of a “home base.”
With more surfing excursions, Hōkūleʻa became more and more comfortable — and explored beyond his “boogie bed.” He would walk up and down the board, and jump in the water.
Eventually, this comfort turned to confidence. Alessia said, “He’s getting cocky sometimes. And he’s very fast. He’s even faster than me when he swims.”
The affinity that Hōkūleʻa has for the ocean might be due to the relaxing effect. “He gets into some kind of zen mode. I think the ocean itself relaxes him.”
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Header image: The Dodo via YouTube
I’m Mark Putzer, and my passion for animals and all things nature is a life-long love affair. Growing up in Wisconsin, I had many cherished memories of hiking, skiing, and enjoying the abundant wildlife in the Badger State.
My passion for animals led me to marine biology research for my studies at the University of Wisconsin. I researched the behavior and communication of humpback whales around Hawaii and Orca Whales around the San Juan Islands of Washington State. The experience of being close to these massive and magnificent creatures is amazing. Later, I taught outdoor education to children in California — passing along my knowledge of animals and nature to the curious minds of the next generation. I also love pets. This includes a Labrador Retriever dog named “Molly” when I was a kid — and now, an adventurous tabby cat named “Rosy.”
I’m here to share the wonders of the animal kingdom with you. Whether it’s a cherished pet at home or an animal out in the wild, there are many unique stories and interesting information to share on Weird Animal News! Enjoy!
