SPONSORED POST Interview a Dolphin Trainer!

This blog post is sponsored by Dolphin Tale.

True story: a dolphin named Winter got its tail caught in a crab trap. It survived but had to have its tail amputated. How can a dolphin swim without a tail? It can't. . . BUT it got a prosthetic tail and now Winter can swim fine! You can read about the story in a book called Winter's Tail, and coming in September, you can see the movie based on the story called Dolphin Tale.

If you love dolphins, we have a special surprise for you at the end of this blog post but first, here is Nathan Gamble, the 13-year-old star of the movie to talk about what it was like to make the movie.

Q: Tell me about your character in Dolphin Tale.

Nathan: Sawyer is a pretty shy, a little moody and quiet character. But when he gets committed to an idea he becomes very strong, passionate and dedicated to seeing it to the finish.

Q: Are you similar to him in any ways? In real life, do you think you would be friends?
Nathan: I'm not too much like him, really. I'm pretty outgoing and like to laugh and am pretty social. But I think we might be friends, too, as I would respect his loyalty to his family and his cause. He becomes the kind of person people want to follow in the end.

Q: This movie is based on a true story. Did you meet the real Sawyer Nelson?
Nathan: Well. . . there really wasn’t a Sawyer Nelson. Winter was actually found by an adult. A little-­‐ what do they call it? – creative license, I think.

Q: Which scene was the most fun to shoot? Which scene was the hardest?
Nathan: Filming with Harry Connick, Jr. was really the highlight of the shoot for me. He is such a funny, personable and nice guy. He took me to a Tampa Bay/New Orleans Saints game during the filming in Florida and later he got me a Drew Brees autographed football-­‐ which was awesome. Hardest? Probably having to hold my breath for so long! And then when it got colder the water was really tough to be in for hours at a time, too.

Q: Can you describe the experience of swimming with a dolphin? What are dolphins like up close?
Nathan: Well, if you can imagine playing with your dog underwater, that is what it is like. They are so fun-­loving and so affectionate and smart, too. They learn tricks incredibly fast and have a great memory.

Q: What was the funniest or most memorable experience you had with Winter, the dolphin?
Nathan: After a while Winter became protective of me so when someone else would come in the pool, Winter would get between me and the new person as if to say, "He's my buddy, keep your distance, stranger!" That and the fact that Winter never got tired of spitting water in my face, too. And then he'd laugh that crazy, squeaky dolphin laugh. It must have been like a joke that is always funny no matter how many times you hear it, you know?

Oh my goodness! The dolphin was laughing at him?! That's so cool/crazy!

If you want to know more about dolphins, you're in luck because. . . the actual dolphin trainers who work with Winter at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida will be here to answer YOUR questions! If you have any questions about Winter's real life experience with a fake tail, what it's like to swim with dolphins, or just how awesome it is to work at an aquarium, now is your chance to ask and maybe get your question answered by a real dolphin trainer.

UPDATE: The dolphin trainer from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium replied! You can read her answers to your questions here.

Comments

[Comment #26]

What aquarium is Winter currently at?

[Comment #27]

That is so amazing. How a dolphin can get a fake tail and live.

[Comment #28]

i LOVE that moviie !!!!

[Comment #29]

I am a animal fanatic, and dolphins are one of my absolute favourites. I am doing an 8 month trip around Australia and we are going to a dolphin resort, where i hope i can swim or at the least pet one, to me it would be a dream come true! I am aiming to become a zoologist when i am older, i was watching nature shows at the age of 9 (now i am 12) and David Attenbrough in particular, got me inspired into the whole "zoologist" thing.
Questions: How long is a dolphins life span? what does their diet mainly consist of? at what age do they fully mature?how high can they jump? how long can they stay underwater for? what is the maximum depth they can dive to? thanks Maeve :)

[Comment #30]

How did WINTER get stuck in a crab trap anyway? I hope you and your dolphin buddies get better. P.S. I liked the movie.

[Comment #31]

Is Winter friendly in real life?

[Comment #32]

Will winter ever be released into the wild???

[Comment #33]

I saw the girl in a mag

[Comment #34]

Hi! This sounds spectacular, I saw the trailer a couple of times and I think it'll be a great movie. My question is, What does it feel like to be a Dolphin Trainer? Another would be, What was the hard thing that you had to do with being a Dolphin Trainer? Thank You!

[Comment #35]

ME AND MY TECHER AND CLASS ARE NUBER 1 fan and i will like to se winter

[Comment #36]

The Dolphin's name is Winter and so is mine That is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!<3: )

[Comment #37]

I've read about Winter and her story is amazing. How long did it take to make a electronic tail? How was it made water proof? Does Winter do shows? Or is she just there for people to look at? I love dolphins and whales, and was wondering what was it like to work with Winter? Do you ever feel like they know how you are feeling? I feel like that sometimes.
Do you feel like you have a special relationship with Winter now? Do you still visit Winter? Does she have any other dolphins that share a cage wih her at the aquairium. I'm really interested in Marine Mammals and want to work with them when I'm older, so I have alot of questions!

[Comment #38]

i want 2 see the movie more than i want 2 read the book

[Comment #39]

i am so sad that the dolphin got hurt

[Comment #40]

I really want to see the movie in the theateres... but I also want to read it.

I realley can't choose!

[Comment #41]

I think it will be amazing.Is the dolphin in the movei the real one that lost its tail?I also beileve that it will be an inspiring life chaneging movie toeveryone who sees it,and it will chaneg millons.

[Comment #42]

Wow!

[Comment #43]

wow really kool dont u thank yep hit me up bye

[Comment #44]

kool

[Comment #45]

i love this book becuase am a big fan of dolphin,s and i wat to know how was it to right the book and just thinking about it can you relate to the book.
and i would like to be in you place to do this amzna book and when i was baby and as a little kind i dream of being a wrighter and righting book,s of dolphin,s and how was the book did you read your book do you realy get to met a real dolphin or did you get to have fun righting the book and how was the book i read it wow its a grate book and i like all of you book.s am fan

[Comment #46]

That thing is sad

[Comment #47]

Oh my gosh that is SO cool! I love dolphins, they are some of the smartest animals on earth, and so graceful, too! I'd love to go to an aquarium, I've never been... and I'd love to see an actual dolphin!! MONKEYS WEARING SUNGLASSES!
DOLPHINS IN SUITS!

[Comment #48]

I would like to wright a book about the Dolphin.I would love to see the Dolphin to.And I would like to help the Dolphin.

[Comment #49]

i llove dolphins so much

[Comment #50]

What is the best part of Winter's personality? What tricks does she know how to do?