Surfers Are Absolutely Sick of These Surfboard-Stealing Otters
Santa Cruz’s Steamer Lane has seen its share of stories: big waves, tough locals, and the kind of lineup drama that keeps people talking. But in mid-October, something stranger took over. Surfers started losing boards in broad daylight, and the culprit wasn’t human. A sea otter with a bad attitude had returned, biting at feet and seizing surfboards while stunned riders watched from the water.
College student Isabella Orduna was one of them. As she finished her session, she felt what she described as a “nip” on her foot, then saw the otter lounging on her board like it owned the ocean. For twenty minutes, lifeguards tried to get it to let go while she waited onshore, watching her board drift just out of reach. She left unhurt, but her story quickly spread up and down the California coast.
Meet The Board Bandit
The mischief instantly brought back memories of 2023 when a sea otter, later nicknamed Otter 841, became infamous for snatching surfboards in the very same waters. She turned into a local celebrity, inspiring T-shirts, memes, and even an ice cream flavor before disappearing into otter legend.
Wildlife experts later discovered she had given birth and calmed down, but many now suspect her offspring or a copycat has picked up where she left off.
Reports this fall have all followed a similar pattern. Surfers paddling near Steamer Lane encounter a bold otter that climbs onto their boards, sometimes chasing them off. A warning sign was even posted last week after back-to-back incidents, cautioning beachgoers about an “aggressive sea otter.”
Locals say it’s the same area where 841 once ruled the waves, though tracking devices once attached to her have since gone missing.
Scientists say this unusual behavior is part of a bigger picture. Sea otters along California’s coast have made an impressive recovery after being nearly extinct a century ago. Their population growth, paired with a rise in water sports, means the odds of crossing paths are higher than ever.
According to researchers, otters in busy coastal regions are disturbed by humans up to six times a day, which can make them lose their natural wariness and start treating surfboards as convenient floating toys.
Experts stress that removing or harming the otters isn’t the answer.
They recommend giving the animals more space. It’s better to stay calm and move away if an otter approaches. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service advises that interactions such as taking photos or attempting to push an otter off a board by hand are stressful for the animals and potentially risky for humans.
When Cute Turns Competitive
Santa Cruz residents have mixed feelings about their unpredictable neighbors. Many can’t help but laugh at the absurdity of an otter with a surfboard collection. But surely, surfers who’ve lost gear to the animals are less amused.
One local photographer says he’s seen at least one encounter a day since mid-October. This is a region where otters are both beloved and protected, but the line between fascination and frustration is starting to blur.
There’s still the mystery of whether the latest surfboard thief is Otter 841 returning for an encore or a younger imitator learning bad habits. Scientists say it might not matter. Right now, the otters have learned the perks of Santa Cruz’s surf scene, and it’s doubtful they’ll be giving them up anytime soon.