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Video: Kayaker has rare encounter with a blue whale
Stretching for over 90 feet in length, and weighing more than 180 metric tons, the blue whale is, to the best of our knowledge, the largest animal that has ever lived. The creatures were hunted to near extinction in the early part of the 20th century, but appear to be making a comeback now.
A kayaker at Redondo Beach, California recently had the rare opportunity to see one of these magnificent creatures up close and personal, and lucky for us he was wearing a GoPro helmet cam at the time. The footage he captured is stunning, with some fantastic views of the whale, both above and below the water, giving viewers a true sense of the size of these animals.
I have to say, this guy is definitely braver than I am. Watching the whale from a kayak would be a humbling enough experience, but getting into the water, and seeing it pass by underneath, would be equal parts terrifying and awe inspiring.
Check out the video below.
A kayaker at Redondo Beach, California recently had the rare opportunity to see one of these magnificent creatures up close and personal, and lucky for us he was wearing a GoPro helmet cam at the time. The footage he captured is stunning, with some fantastic views of the whale, both above and below the water, giving viewers a true sense of the size of these animals.
I have to say, this guy is definitely braver than I am. Watching the whale from a kayak would be a humbling enough experience, but getting into the water, and seeing it pass by underneath, would be equal parts terrifying and awe inspiring.
Check out the video below.
Filed under: Paddling, North America, United States, Video
Reader Comments (Page 7 of 7)
Cole Oct 19th 2011 10:53PM
This is Cole again. Just thought I should mention that my comments were in response to the good number of people who claimed this was an illegal activity or that it was staged.
Brittany Oct 19th 2011 10:48PM
Dang, handsome older white man too :)
Matt Oct 19th 2011 11:12PM
That was absolutely amazing. I would love to have an experince like that. When I was snorkeling in Hawaii it was like swimming in an oversized tropical tank. I couldn't believe what I saw there but this would have been a dream for me.
Matt Oct 19th 2011 11:21PM
For those who weren't kidding, these whales don't have teeth. They have baleen which they filter their food through. Killer whales have teeth and are part of the porpoise family.
Hackitoff Oct 19th 2011 11:31PM
Are we sure it wasn't an 89 foot whale.
RC Oct 20th 2011 10:22AM
Just plain audacity to think we always have the right to disturb endangered species just for the thrill. Have we not done enough to speed up the extinction of other species on this planet? Do we not understand that we are in an extremely fragile eco system? Even now, we are not smart enough to know the limits of our abuse of this planet. Our ignorance appears to foster an environmental lethality that could end our own existence.
Nancy Oct 20th 2011 12:33AM
I would have been scared out of my mind!! :-)
kellie Oct 20th 2011 1:20AM
Are you serious? This man captures a beautiful video even risking his life so we all could admire the beauty of this whale, and all you have to say is " isn't it illegal" clearly he did nothing to harm or endanger the whale. Geez. What a sad world we live in.
violet Oct 20th 2011 1:44AM
wow!!!
J Oct 20th 2011 12:12PM
Such a fantastic sight and I'm sure an experience you will never forget. Absolutely beautiful and what a wonderful thing for you to share as well.
Thank You!
Jim Oct 20th 2011 2:51AM
VERY cool!!! but i wouldn't jump in the water like he did.... The force from it swimming can litterally knock the wind out of you, or even knock you out if it whips its fin hard enough... NO THANK YOU lol.
J.E.B. Oct 20th 2011 3:16AM
This guy has a LOT of moxie to be swimming alongside something as big as a city bus that could easily clean his clock. Sheesh!
Robert Oct 20th 2011 4:57AM
Aww man Soooo awesome!!! I got the goose bumps lol !
Mary Jane Perez Cornielle Oct 20th 2011 5:30AM
My goodness, what an exhilirating experience! Wasn't he afraid of ending up like Jonas? He could have been swallowed whole, kayak and all, LOL
tracy Oct 20th 2011 11:11AM
thats awesome i would love to get that close to a whale they are so neat yahoooooooooooooooo
Rae Oct 20th 2011 1:44PM
Oh Gosh that would scare the friggin'crap outta me!! o.O But here's a switcher, I would love to see that!! I honestly think there is absolutely nothing wrong with what happened. He was kayaking when a blue whale surfaced, besides, How could anyone resist? xP
Cousin Anita From NY Oct 20th 2011 7:57PM
Awesome
Robert Nov 1st 2011 9:02PM
No harm, no foul. I have had several incredible experiences with nature and as long as you are not disturbing the creatures or their habitats, go for it. Gives us all a new respect for this awesome world we live in.
Kae Nov 1st 2011 10:14PM
How amazing it is when humans and wildlife can peacefully coexist with one another! The kayaker was doing no harm to the whale and it didn't seem to mind being in such close proximity to him. I'm sure if the whale minded it would have dove or evaded the kayaker with no problems. Such a gentle giant! :-)