Re: [Paddlewise] Whale Close Encounters?

Tom said (snip):

>Is anyone aware of mishaps involving kayakers who have gotten too near
whales?<

I've got a National Geographic picture of a yellow kayak and paddler being
lifted up somewhere in what appears to be northern latitudes waters. The
paddler is performing an ultra low brace manoeuvre to stay upright. I
imagine this isn't typical. Though, encounters where there are problems
reported are probably this type of incident (where the whale surfaces
unintentionally under a kayak). I'm sure others on the list may have input.

Here's a news story from Nootka Island where Luna has been causing a stir.
The conservation officers are now starting to hand out fines for touching
the small Orca. The maximum fine is $1000,000.00 CND, though this first fine
was only $100.00. Reports indicate some of the local may have been swimming
with the whale or even giving it beer. This could certainly be an accident
waiting to happen:

http://www.canada.com/search/story.aspx?id=919e565e-f417-440e-b729-ef08ad0e217f

On my resent whale encounter, our small group of 3 paddlers chased the
whales along southward, then northward along the western side of San Juan
Island. We tried to keep the minimum 100 to 400 yards distance. One group of
guided paddlers in big doubles stayed their ground as the whale approached.
The paddlers were 50 yards from shore while the whales surfaced then dove
right under the viscerally jubilant group of rafted paddlers in their
doubles. One of our group did get a bit close for a minute or two, and a
conservation volunteer approached one of our party members trailing behind,
with some suggested reading - namely a whale-watching safety brochure.

I tried to stay ahead of the whales at a fast clip, but did so between the
whales (off the pod's front starboard side) and the shoreline. Apparently
this is not the recommended procedure, as paddlers and boaters should be
seaward of the creatures. I was repentant. I was also impressed at how far
back the motorized whale watching armada kept away, along with vessels of
serendipitous involvement such as the Clipper hydrofoil.

Back at San Juan County Park, we started practicing our best foreign
accents, before other paddlers who had observed from a farther distance
returned. We figured they might chide us, and perhaps feigning a language
barrier might have mitigated a tongue lashing. No one said anything however.

Many say these creatures have no soul. Only man possesses a spirit. Somehow,
this was challenged that day as I observed J-pod, it's big male with his
giant corkscrew-like fin rising black and powerful as it split the darkly
seas. Two new calves joined the procession. Life moved forward. I returned
to work, revived, at peace, in vibe once again with All that Is, with All
that is Sacred. And with my brochure.

Doug Lloyd
Victoria BC

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