By edhat staff
A video captured off the coast of Avila Beach shows two kayakers nearly getting swallowed by a humpback whale.
Two women were kayaking and noticed a group of feeding humpback whales. One woman noticed a bait ball, small fish swarming in a small circle, next to their kayak.
Suddenly a whale, following the fish, opened its entire mouth to catch the fish and ended up grabbing the kayak as well. The whale opened its mouth and released them leaving both women unharmed.
Apparently, it’s impossible for a humpback whale to swallow a human due to their narrow throats, but the strength of their jaws could have caused fatal injuries.
Researchers are trying to identify the whale to monitor it and see if it is okay.
The central California population of Humpback Whales migrates from their winter calving and mating areas off Mexico to their summer and fall feeding areas off coastal California. Humpback Whales occur in the Monterey Bay area and central coast from late April to early December.
Never let go of her phone though. Humans – some day we will be born with one.
Hammonds, are you joking? How do you propose kayakers keep a distance from a whale swimming at speed underwater? This must be a joke. I am laughing after all.
60,000 pound whale versus 60 pound kayak. I’m sure the whale is just fine.
Boaters, kayakers, paddle boarders have to maintain respectful distance. If not, it could be considered marine life harassment.
oh ok, so you just act like you dont know there are mammals and marine life in the ocean. and just do what you want with no care that they are there? you keep distance from marine animals, and if there is a large bait ball. you KNOW ( if you are smart enough ) that something large is feeding on them, causing them to be IN THE BAIT BALL FORMATION. so yes, I also “propose” keeping safe distance from wildlife, if you are unaware of the dangers they can present. and im NOT laughing.