Kim Kryshaar writes:We like to tell newcomers that each time we paddle along the Simon's Town coast, the experience is different. Well, Sunday 21 March, was a once in a lifetime experience. The sea was cold, calm and so clear, that you could see what the anemones were eating for breakfast. We struck out for the Roman Rock Lighthouse, rejoicing in freedom from the wind that had been howling all week. The distinct sound of a whale blowing stopped us in mid stroke and cheers from the lead paddlers alerted the rest of us to three Whales swimming less than 100m away. The excitement of seeing whales at this time of the year and speculation about what they were (Brydes Whales or Humpbacks) subsided as we split up to paddle past the lighthouse, with some kayakers negotiating the washing machine at the base of Roman Rock. 20 minutes later, while heading toward Windmill Beach the same three whales appeared directly in front of us - almost as if they had been waiting for us to catch up. One ‘chased’ after the lead paddler who immediately turned back to join the rest of us while we laughed in astonishment at his unease.
The other two whales made their presence known by surfacing close by and gently encouraging us to bunch up. Whenever anyone paddled, they immediately received attention in the form of a huge smooth body with crescent shaped fin following their kayak with distinct interest. “Is this what it is like to be in a bait ball?” someone asked. “I have heard that whales swim under boats and lift them up for fun,” someone else in the baitball squeaked just as a whale swam under our kayaks. We followed its progress with abated breath, watching the ripples on the surface that marked its passing. Margot and William frantically tried to photograph the whales, which were playing with us, surfacing unexpectedly and then sounding with no time to focus a lens. One took a particular liking to Chris’s kayak and repeatedly surfaced within a paddle length of him, but then gave up when Chris did not take up the invite to play tag. Another blew next to us, giving us a dose of halitosis on a whale scale. Without exception everyone was WOWed by the experience. At no stage were the whales aggressive - their curiosity was exciting and flattering. The encounter lasted a few all too short minutes and then the whales peeled off and headed out to sea.
For those of you who shared this special encounter or anyone who has had a similar experience: Please comment and share your understanding or feelings about encounters with whales.
I spoke to Nan Rice, well known and respected whale and dolphin expert, about the experience. She confirmed that the whales were Bryde’s Whales and laughed when I said that the whales appeared to have herded us. Nan suggested that they were most likely curious and apparently often approach and swim around boats and yachts. However, Brydes Whales are not aggressive and do not lift boats out of the water. The Bryde’s Whales that we saw probably belong to a resident coastal population which "patrol" our near shore waters looking for anchovies, pilchard and herring. For more info about Bryde's Whales go to this link at scenicsouth.co.za
