For two whale watchers, this close encounter while kayaking off the coast of Avila Beach, in California in the U.S., is something they will never forget.?
Julie McSorley and Liz Cottriel were watching humpback whales on Monday when one of them decided to get right in their faces. A whale came up underneath them and caused the boat to capsize.
"I saw the big pool of fish, the big bait ball come up out of the water. I saw the whale come up. I thought, 'Oh, no! It's too close.'?All of a sudden, I lifted up, and I was in the water,"?McSorley told KMPH.?
Also read:?'It's Got My Fingers! Dolphin 'Attacks' Fisherman, Fun Encounter Captured On Video?
A witness managed to capture the terrifying moment.?Watch the video below:
"The whale was right here in my face, literally," said Cottriel.
"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 underwater."
Luckily, the duo managed to escape without getting hurt despite briefly going underwater after capsizing before reemerging.?
Humpback whales typically feed on krill and small fish.
The NOAA says humpback whales are popular among whale watchers as they are active on the surface and often jump out and slap the water with their pectoral fins or tails.??