Onlookers have captured the moment in which Californian kayakers had a surprise encounter with a humpback whale – one to rival Jaws.
A couple of Californian kayakers recently had a rude awakening when a humpback whale took unexpected liberties and tipped their ship.
Julie McSorely and Liz Cottriel were out on a leisurely whale watch on Monday, when whales began circling their kayak. Next second, the pair found themselves flung into the air then submerged underwater by the shock interaction.
A fellow kayaker filmed the whole incident and posted the insane footage to TikTok. The video shows the whale projecting out of the water, mouth open, completely knocking the couple off their boat. The terrifying video is reminiscent of a Sharknado horror film, and at one point, it seems like the whale might have swallowed the pair whole. Check out the footage below.
@californiamammabear Whale vs Kayakers in Avilla Beach. #Monstro #fyp #Avilla #scary #dontgeteaten
In an interview with Fox 26 News, Liz recounted the moment they realised what was happening:
“I’m thinking to myself, ‘I’m gonna push.’ Like, I’m gonna push a whale out of the way! It was the weirdest thought. I’m thinking, ‘I’m dead. I’m dead.’ I thought it was gonna land on me. Next thing I know, I’m under water.”
Onlooking kayakers rushed to the women in a panic, but luckily no one was harmed.
“We got back to the car, I was shaking my shirt and a bunch of fish came out of my shirt,” Liz described. “I was infatuated by them and in awe. But I never expected one to be right here, in my face!”
I guess it’s lucky that Liz really loves whales?
