Post date : 2013-04-29
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| Carol Connors and Gregor Hodgson with dolphin caller contestants |
On Saturday, April 27 contestants of all ages lined up to demonstrate their dolphin calling skills at the first annual Dolphin Call Contest, hosted by Body Glove and Reef Check. The more than 200 contestants who competed had their own unique calling techniques – everything from clucking sounds to screeching and whistling to cackling. The large crowd that gathered as contestants tried out was thoroughly entertained.
The contestants were judged on four main criteria – realism, variety of call types, length and showmanship. The competition was fierce, and after a tally of the overall combined judges scores for each contestant, the top ten dolphin callers were selected as winners. The winners included six kids and four adults – Jessica Jordan, Anthony Torella, Scott Roberts, Alex Paredes, Malak Hijaz, Cooper Roth,
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| Congressman Henry Waxman gives the crowd his best dolphin call |
“We are so pleased by the great participation and overwhelming enthusiasm by the contestants for the first annual Dolphin Call Contest. Our goal was to host a fun event, while educating the public about the plight of coral reefs worldwide and California’s rocky reefs. We accomplished both,” said Dr. Gregor Hodgson, founder and executive director for the Reef Check Foundation.
The original dolphin call lady herself, two-time Oscar nominated singer/songwriter Carol Connors was on hand to give the dolphin callers a few pointers and to perform her song, “The Dolphins are Coming, Let the Magic Begin.” U.S. Congressman Henry Waxman, a staunch supporter of environmental issues dropped by the contest to say a few words and he even got into the spirit of the contest and belted out a dolphin call. Congressman Waxman has just launched the Safe Climate Caucus of 25 members which has pledged to raise the issue of climate change every day on the house floor.
Many thanks to all who participated, especially the volunteers who helped throughout the day! Click here to view photos from the event. Video can be watched here.
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| Actresses Mikayla and Shayna Chapman with the Dolphin Call Lady herself, Carol Connors | On the main stage |
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| Reef Check booth | Mikayla and Shayna interview contest judge Mara New |