Last whales of the season

[Bulky]

Hey Zoners!

Haven't been around here much as life's been rich & full, but I've still been getting good time on water.  This footage has actually been on my computer for awhile and I just got around to editing it. 

Too epic a morning not to share.  Saw the whales coming while I was taking the board off my truck and had enough time to get right where I needed.  They weren't in a rush and we had a good 20min together.  Sorry that the camera isn't the steadiest--choppy morning and wind blowing in addition to my knees knocking.  Nothing like being in a fluke print made by a 30-ton animal (let alone four of them).

I've seen whales a few more times since this, but the migration is pretty much done in these parts.  Gives me something to look forward to next winter!

[TallDude]

Nice video Bulky. At 3:15 it looks like one went right under you. I took my camera out at the end of last week, and didn't see any whales. I can't remember ever seeing so many whales in a season. I saw whales almost every day I paddled. It's been a treat and a bit a of hair raise'r. I had a Humpback come up right next to me from behind. It's the biggest living thing I've ever seen. Scared the sh..t out of me. 

[Kmania]

Love it! Thanks for sharing.

[Bulky]

Nice video Bulky. At 3:15 it looks like one went right under you. I took my camera out at the end of last week, and didn't see any whales. I can't remember ever seeing so many whales in a season. I saw whales almost every day I paddled. It's been a treat and a bit a of hair raise'r. I had a Humpback come up right next to me from behind. It's the biggest living thing I've ever seen. Scared the sh..t out of me.

The surface was a bit too disturbed to see down into the water but I don't think they were under me on that morning.  That's happened before and you're right--it'll bring you to your knees right quick.  I think that's my favorite angle--seeing them surface from directly behind as they swim away from you--you get a sense of just how wide they are (like a bus).  And then there's the huge amount of water that keeps coming from the push of the flukes.

Seems like they've kept up--saw four BIG blows last Monday and a friend saw several breaches from shore this weekend (likely indicating Humpbacks--never ID'd these before on my SUP).  Went out hopeful today but way too foggy.

File under "stuff you'll never see at the gym" 

[surfercook]

Very cool, Bulky. I can't imagine paddling that close to whales. Not like we get alot of chances here in NJ. Occasionally in the warmer months you might spy a few, but they are usually pretty far out and also on the move. Nice vid, quite dif than a surfing one.
Is this HA or CA maybe? Nevermind! Found it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goleta,_California