Have a look at this amazing video of a SUP encounter with a Blue Whale, the largest animal on the planet. We regularly SUP with dolphins and have them under the board checking us out but I have to admit this experience would be out of this world. That said, the video is contentious as the paddleboarder actively follows and engages with the whale closer than is acceptable under Californian law. In California, where this was filmed, and here in Australia, exclusion zones are put in place to prevent paddlers, swimmers etc from getting too close to whales to prevent the animal from being harassed or becoming stressed as well as to protect the human from being injured by an unexpected tail slap or breech. From the video it doesn’t seem that the whale was too disturbed by the SUP,but it should be noted that With one flick of its tail it could have all gone horribly wrong, especially when he was approaching it from behind. It is still whale season here and with so many still to be seen on the Whale Highway off Port Stephens it is a good time to re-acquaint yourself with exclusion zones if you plan to paddle offshore. Anyhow have a watch and judge for yourself.
On the SUP we get to experience amazing nature!