A sea otter bit a surfer’s foot and held onto her board for 20 minutes at Steamer Lane, prompting a rescue.

A sea otter bit a surfer’s foot and clung to her board for 20 minutes at Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz on October 14, 2025, prompting a water rescue. Surfer Isabella Orduna, uninjured, remained calm and called for help. Lifeguards retrieved her safely, and the otter eventually left the board. The incident recalls “Otter 841,” a famous sea otter known for similar behavior, but officials cannot confirm if the two are the same due to a lost tracking device. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and urge surfers to be cautious around wildlife.