Knocked off early today for a sup on a local beach break. Got there and checked out the crowd that consisted of a longboarder and 6 to 7 southern right whales so I jumped on the nalu and hit the water.
About 15 mins in after catching a few nice 2 footers I paddled out back and with the longboarder, stood in awe as one of the whales came toward us. The longboarder had his camera pointed at the whale as it came within only a couple of metres from us! If I hadn't turned and started paddling away from it, it would've gone under me. As soon as it finished checking us out - it turned and with a slap of its tail, it took off at a fair pace in a stir of sand.
Amazing experience! I'll try to get a copy of the footage from the longboarder next time I see him.
As much as I love a good whale story I will admit that if I had been in the same position as you I may have paddled in quickly. Just saying Im not all that brave :)
There was one at my local last week- I saw it just as I was stepping into the water with my board. I wasn't as brave as you, I watched it for a couple of minutes from the beach. I began my surfing session after it had swam off, and made sure I didn't fall in for the first half hour.
They're only whales guys?! As long as you steer clear of the tail and don't deliberately try to get close to them.
The only concern I had was that I'd heard that there was a small pod of killer whales about... that would have been very different! ;-)
The good lady found this pic posted on facebook from a local. I missed out on having my pic taken, but I was sitting in the water with the longboarder in the shot when the whale came right up to us. He must have great footage from his camera mounted on the nose of his board - when the whale swam up to us he had the camera underwater.
Select to expand quoteSailhack said..
Knocked off early today for a sup on a local beach break. Got there and checked out the crowd that consisted of a longboarder and 6 to 7 southern right whales so I jumped on the nalu and hit the water.
Whats happened to your Stonker. 
Select to expand quotesupmego said...Sailhack said..
Knocked off early today for a sup on a local beach break. Got there and checked out the crowd that consisted of a longboarder and 6 to 7 southern right whales so I jumped on the nalu and hit the water.
Whats happened to your Stonker.
Thought ol' yella needed a workout! 
Don't worry about the stonker supmego - it's been getting plenty wet!
Select to expand quoteSailhack said..
Knocked off early today for a sup on a local beach break. Got there and checked out the crowd that consisted of a longboarder and 6 to 7 southern right whales so I jumped on the nalu and hit the water.
About 15 mins in after catching a few nice 2 footers I paddled out back and with the longboarder, stood in awe as one of the whales came toward us. The longboarder had his camera pointed at the whale as it came within only a couple of metres from us! If I hadn't turned and started paddling away from it, it would've gone under me. As soon as it finished checking us out - it turned and with a slap of its tail, it took off at a fair pace in a stir of sand.
Amazing experience! I'll try to get a copy of the footage from the longboarder next time I see him.
Was watching from the hill Scott and could not believe how close the whale came to you. I reckon it would have only been in chest deep water. Pete
Select to expand quoteSailhack said..
They're only whales guys?! As long as you steer clear of the tail and don't deliberately try to get close to them.
The only concern I had was that I'd heard that there was a small pod of killer whales about... that would have been very different! ;-)
I'm sooo jealous! That would have bene awesome! But on the killer whales - would they actually knock you off and chew you up? Coz I'm not sure I could resist getting out there with them (respectfully of course), so if it's a really, really bad idea, someone better tell me before I see some.
Great experience Scott Robdog and I were at that spot a few years ago when a mother and calf hang around us for about an hour. On another note did you see a surfer got knocked unconscious and ended up in hospital a few weeks ago when the whale got to close to him
You know it Brooko!
Have whales on our southern coast at the moment. Heres some poleboarding photos from Sunday with a whale doing a camio!
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/South-Australia/Some-more-Pics-from-Saturday-3rd/
