Marineland

I began work at Marineland of the Pacific in 1985 as a lifeguard and snorkeling instructor for

the "Baja Reef."  This photo was taken of me while swimming in the reef through one of the viewing windows. I had memorized the speech I had to give for each group of divers that passed through the reef. "Welcome to the Baja Reef, the world's only swim-through aquarium.  The reef is about 500 feet long and we have 2 basic rules; the reef is one-way only.  You can swim up and down and back and forth all you like, but you cannot swim back to the start.  The second rule is that you may not touch the fish.  There are sharks in the reef but they are harmless unless you harass them, so please, don't harass them.  To use the snorkel, just put your lips around the mouthpiece and blow.  Your mask will leak if you get your hair caught in the seal.  Your wetsuits are positively buoyant which means they work like a life jacket and will keep you floating.  You have to work at diving to the bottom of the reef, which is 12 feet down at its deepest point.  If you have any problems or questions, there are lifeguards watching on the bridges and will be happy to answer any questions you might have.  Now, go ahead and swim out and have fun!"

I later went on to work as the full-time night caretaker of the park until Marineland was permanently closed in the spring of 1987. In the photo to the right, I'm wearing part of my "Baja Reef" uniform, it consisted of three layers: a blue and gray track suit, a blue/orange hawaiian short and top set, and a red, lycra swimsuit.  This uniform is currently on display at the Marineland Exhibit at the Ranchos Palos Verdes Interpretative Center in California, about a mile north from where Marineland used to stand.