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Thought I was going to need a whale rescue blade....

Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2015 4:16 pm
by Surfingringo
I really was thinking that for a minute. I rolled up on this 50ft+ humpback today and as I got closer I saw what appeared to be netting hanging beneath her. I had my Pacific Salt out and was working my breathe-up and basically trying to be calm before I jumped ship to see if I could cut her loose. As I got a bit closer though, I realized what I thought was net was just one of her unbelievably gigantic pectoral fins! I bet you anything the fin was over 20ft long. It was bizarre! Anyway, at that point I noticed she had a young calf with her too so I pretty much abandoned any ideas of jumping in and trying to make friends. I don't think she was too worried about me but even a cautionary love pat from an 80,000 lb. whale would be like getting hit by a bus. Anyway, all turned out well and I was grateful for the experience and even more grateful I didn't have to do any net cutting! Can't say I wasn't prepared though! :cool:

The video was taken with a fisheye gopro so the distance is very deceiving. When I deployed the knife i was already within 15 feet of the whale. At the closest I was almost directly on top of her. I could have easily touched her blowhole with my fishing rod. :)

https://youtu.be/qKtuLVcfJEs

Re: Thought I was going to need a whale rescue blade....

Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2015 4:19 pm
by bearfacedkiller
Great video Lance!

Re: Thought I was going to need a whale rescue blade....

Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2015 4:25 pm
by Liquid Cobra
Yup set to private for me too. Really want to see the vid Lance! That sounds like a once in a lifetime experience. Amazing.

Re: Thought I was going to need a whale rescue blade....

Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2015 4:56 pm
by swigert
Awesome! Great Video Lance!

Re: Thought I was going to need a whale rescue blade....

Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2015 5:13 pm
by Archimedes
You have a cool life.

Re: Thought I was going to need a whale rescue blade....

Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2015 5:44 pm
by i am travvy
Awesome video Lance!

Re: Thought I was going to need a whale rescue blade....

Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2015 5:45 pm
by Mic1
Very cool

Re: Thought I was going to need a whale rescue blade....

Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2015 5:50 pm
by SpyderNut
Nice video, Lance. Livin' the high life. ;) I'm surprised you didn't include any dialogue, though. Something like, "Holy crap, etc." :D

Re: Thought I was going to need a whale rescue blade....

Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2015 6:35 pm
by Able Dog
Simply amazing! And a beautiful reason to be prepared.

Re: Thought I was going to need a whale rescue blade....

Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2015 9:20 pm
by MichaelScott
Anyone who is prepared to jump in the sea to help a whale is tops on my list of stone good people. Some day the brew is on me. Thank you.

Re: Thought I was going to need a whale rescue blade....

Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2015 11:59 pm
by Doc Dan
That is a great video, but getting that close can be dangerous. Even not meaning to do it, a whale that big could squash a man like a bug.

Re: Thought I was going to need a whale rescue blade....

Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 7:44 am
by araneae
Jealous

Re: Thought I was going to need a whale rescue blade....

Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 10:45 am
by SpyderEdgeForever
Most excellent video and thank you for showing the Pac Salt knife :)

"There be whales here!"

Re: Thought I was going to need a whale rescue blade....

Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 11:40 am
by RadioactiveSpyder
Cool video Lance, you know they say it's not the size of the pectoral fin that matters, it's how you use it ;)

Re: Thought I was going to need a whale rescue blade....

Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2015 7:11 pm
by CanadaDude
Lance, I admire and envy your lifestyle. Good on you for being concerned about that whale.

Re: Thought I was going to need a whale rescue blade....

Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2015 9:38 pm
by Ruarch
very cool!