A group of people who were downwind foiling in the Pacific Ocean between Mission Bay and Oceanside, California found themselves surrounded by orcas, and they were mostly stoked . . . except for maybe that one guy who fell in. The orcas began to circle the group, which apparently included both foilers and paddleboarders (in the video, you can also see some people on jet skis), and then one person fell in the water but quickly got back on his board.
Saxon Thomas Chang, a surfer, foiler, and photographer, took the video, which Oceans Nation shared to Instagram. Nearly 100,000 people liked the video, but some people in the comments section say the video made them nervous. For the most part, though, everyone agrees it must have been pretty awesome.
“Orcas in San Diego approached a group downwind foiling from Mission Bay to Oceanside. As they passed through La Jolla canyon, some shouted ‘ORCAS!’” wrote Oceans Nation in the post sharing Chang’s footage. “The orcas surfaced nearby, focusing on one person [. . .]. They circled beneath the group’s skis, playing in their wake for a few exhilarating minutes before disappearing. An unforgettable experience!”
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Chang himself agreed, commenting: “I will never forget this experience, such a lucky moment to be in the presence of these huge incredibly intelligent animals!! The size of them was a bit terrifying and they followed us for about 20 min blowing bubbles and circling us.”
Watch as orcas circle foilers here:
Header stock image by wildestanimal/Getty Images