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Kiting with whales

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Created by DutchRooster > 9 months ago, 1 Oct 2013
DutchRooster
NSW, 325 posts
1 Oct 2013 9:02PM
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Yeeeeeow!

Went for a kite today. First time on my new F-One Surf 6'2. Head out and 20seconds in: I spot whales breaching, less than a kilometre out. So I went for a look, passed them upwind, gybe and glide down wind and around them. 2 adults and a calf. Calf was about 6m. They were having a ball, splashing about, tail slapping, waving with a side fin. Awesome! Went back, caught a few waves, out again. And again. And again.

Saw 2 other kites out, I think one was Chris from Griffin kites. Always good to share the moment!

Spared a thought for Coldshot. What a great session!

Phoney
NSW, 608 posts
1 Oct 2013 9:26PM
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Sounds awesome! Keep your distance though, remember what happened at Bondi a few months ago?

www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/surfer-knocked-unconscious-as-10-metre-whale-tosses-bondi-boarders-with-its-tail-20130707-2pjn5.html

Puetz
NT, 2186 posts
2 Oct 2013 9:31AM
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... thats awsome dude, I've kited with seals, pilot whales and dugongs but not the big ones yet, lucky you!

austin
671 posts
2 Oct 2013 8:06AM
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its a pretty special experience, I've always said that wales pose more of a danger whilst kiting than sharks ever will! I had a memorable one out past Graveyards one year, was on a direct course for them and passed over two adults and a calf, calf turned on his side underwater for a look then the adult came up for breath 5m away, very special, don't forget how lucky we are to have this privilege.

richierich
NSW, 226 posts
2 Oct 2013 1:25PM
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Kited last week with my first whale- a humpback -down in Gerringong Werri beach....pretty awesome

cauncy
WA, 8407 posts
2 Oct 2013 12:07PM
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austin said...
its a pretty special experience, I've always said that wales pose more of a danger whilst kiting than sharks ever will! I had a memorable one out past Graveyards one year, was on a direct course for them and passed over two adults and a calf, calf turned on his side underwater for a look then the adult came up for breath 5m away, very special, don't forget how lucky we are to have this privilege.


With you on that, was out at gravy last week and had them breaching 100mtrs away, masses of turtles , overhead sets and solid wind,were blessed along this special coast

Robbo2099
WA, 751 posts
2 Oct 2013 12:30PM
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Kiting at Fishermans/Collaroy last year, noticed two whales spouting off in the distance. About a minute later an enormous explosion erupts in front of me about 50-100m away as one of the whales breached fully out of the water -- the most intense adrenalin rush ever -- and not in an entirely positive way -- my immediate thought was "****e--where's the other one?"

The experience was like being beside a city bus being launched out of the water with a space shuttle rocket engine on full throttle. The consequences of it coming out of the water like that from directly underneath is not something I'd like to entertain...

Gorgo
VIC, 5103 posts
2 Oct 2013 2:47PM
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Riding around at Waratah Bay a couple of weekends ago. I was a little bored and hoping to see some wild life (seals, dolphins, water birds), but secretly afraid I would see some wild life (sharks).

Next thing a whale tail goes kerflump in the water about 100m away. Followed by another whale tail. Two whales were loitering around, doing a bit of lolling with the occasional tail slaps. I was able to cruise in the area, about 50m away for half an hour.

GriffinKites
NSW, 201 posts
2 Oct 2013 3:17PM
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Select to expand quote
DutchRooster said..

Yeeeeeow!

Went for a kite today. First time on my new F-One Surf 6'2. Head out and 20seconds in: I spot whales breaching, less than a kilometre out. So I went for a look, passed them upwind, gybe and glide down wind and around them. 2 adults and a calf. Calf was about 6m. They were having a ball, splashing about, tail slapping, waving with a side fin. Awesome! Went back, caught a few waves, out again. And again. And again.

Saw 2 other kites out, I think one was Chris from Griffin kites. Always good to share the moment!

Spared a thought for Coldshot. What a great session!




Yeah was awesome, I counted about 4 x whales heading north and 1 x happy hooting DutchRooster and 3 other kiters

Everyone kept there distance, and was amazing to see massive whale tails flying through the air and splashing all over the place.

I was kiting a many months ago when a odd smelling spray hit me, I looked around and 2-3 meters to my back was a whale checking me out. Not many people in the world can say they have had an eye to eye experience like that. Reminds you that your alive, and to live life while you still can.....

JezzaFromCal
43 posts
2 Oct 2013 4:40PM
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Pictures or it never happened!

bene313
WA, 1347 posts
2 Oct 2013 6:06PM
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GriffinKites said..
Reminds you that your alive, and to live life while you still can.....


Yes, until you run into a whale, snap your board and get sucked 20m under when it dives! That if you're lucky enough not to be decapitated by the tail.

Might be a "special experience", but very dangerous.

GriffinKites
NSW, 201 posts
2 Oct 2013 9:14PM
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Select to expand quote
bene313 said..




GriffinKites said..
Reminds you that your alive, and to live life while you still can.....





Yes, until you run into a whale, snap your board and get sucked 20m under when it dives! That if you're lucky enough not to be decapitated by the tail.

Might be a "special experience", but very dangerous.




Awesome, haters going to hate on kiting with whales, did you read the part about all the kiters keeping there distance? All the kiters where taking care and keeping a good distance from the whales, very aware of the dangers and doing something that many people only dream of....

2 people just died down the road from me today less than 1km away when a semi trailer rolled and burst into flames on top of 2 cars stopped at traffic lights...

1) Three people die each year testing if a 9v battery works on their tongue.

2) Eight people cracked their skull in 1997 after falling asleep while throwing up into the toilet.

3) Eighteen people had serious burns in 1998 trying on a new jumper with a lit cigarette in their mouth.

4) Nineteen people have died in the last 3 years believing that Christmas decorations were chocolate.

5) Thirty one people have died since 1996 by watering their Christmas tree while the fairy lights were plugged in.

5 people went kiting with whales and there mates having an unforgettable time making memories that will last a lifetime....

You only live once, stay inside a padded room, don't go out side, its not safe anywhere....

Kozzie
QLD, 1451 posts
2 Oct 2013 9:19PM
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Select to expand quote
bene313 said..


GriffinKites said..
Reminds you that your alive, and to live life while you still can.....



Yes, until you run into a whale, snap your board and get sucked 20m under when it dives! That if you're lucky enough not to be decapitated by the tail.

Might be a "special experience", but very dangerous.


has there been a case of death by whale tail decapitation?

Tommygun
NSW, 26 posts
2 Oct 2013 10:11PM
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Love kiting with wales. Been kiting with wales twice at Narrabeen and once in front of Long Reef headland.
But i have to say, never known anyone to be decapitated by a wale tail :)

bene313
WA, 1347 posts
3 Oct 2013 2:13PM
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Select to expand quote
GriffinKites said..

bene313 said..




GriffinKites said..
Reminds you that your alive, and to live life while you still can.....





Yes, until you run into a whale, snap your board and get sucked 20m under when it dives! That if you're lucky enough not to be decapitated by the tail.

Might be a "special experience", but very dangerous.




Awesome, haters going to hate on kiting with whales, did you read the part about all the kiters keeping there distance? All the kiters where taking care and keeping a good distance from the whales, very aware of the dangers and doing something that many people only dream of....




Being able to count the number of females and calves does not sound like keeping your distance. For what you see on the surface, could be many others below or nearby.

Go ask the old wind surfers if they know anyone who has been in trouble with whales NW WA.

Go ask the old commercial fishermen if they'll go near a whale. They do the opposite, keep well away.

EnglishCraig
NSW, 406 posts
3 Oct 2013 4:31PM
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The kiting in Wales can also be pretty incredible

GriffinKites
NSW, 201 posts
3 Oct 2013 8:30PM
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bene313 said..


GriffinKites said..


bene313 said..





GriffinKites said..
Reminds you that your alive, and to live life while you still can.....






Yes, until you run into a whale, snap your board and get sucked 20m under when it dives! That if you're lucky enough not to be decapitated by the tail.

Might be a "special experience", but very dangerous.





Awesome, haters going to hate on kiting with whales, did you read the part about all the kiters keeping there distance? All the kiters where taking care and keeping a good distance from the whales, very aware of the dangers and doing something that many people only dream of....




Being able to count the number of females and calves does not sound like keeping your distance. For what you see on the surface, could be many others below or nearby.

Go ask the old wind surfers if they know anyone who has been in trouble with whales NW WA.

Go ask the old commercial fishermen if they'll go near a whale. They do the opposite, keep well away.


Or go ask Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities

The below is good to know if your kiting with whales:

http://www.environment.gov.au/about/media/dept-mr/dept-mr20110916.html

"Whale watchers are urged to be alert and watch for whales at all times and not approach closer than 100m to any whale or 50m to any dolphin when in a boat. Limits also apply to people in the water and overflying aircraft."

"Being able to count the number of females and calves does not sound like keeping your distance"
Most people can count the number of whales from a km away, I count them from my house as they pass.

DutchRooster
NSW, 325 posts
3 Oct 2013 11:35PM
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We kept our distance and respected their space. They didnt have a care in the world; just happily flapping about. It wasn't dangerous and no animals were harmed in the making of this adventure.

I've spent a fair bit of time underwater and have been fortunate to dive with whales. Have had a proper eye to eye, touched them. Am on mobile now but happy to share a few pics when back on the laptop. I certainly wouldn't recommend you to go and try it, and am an advocate for giving them all the space they need. But sometimes, if you're very lucky, they seek you out, inquisitive as they are. Such majestic animals!

THE DONG
VIC, 518 posts
4 Oct 2013 1:09AM
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Id be more worried about their gilled buddies who are surely escorting them along their mifration

Kozzie
QLD, 1451 posts
4 Oct 2013 9:49AM
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if we are getting pictures of whales heres mine with one :)

i dont even bother uploading a copy etc anymore just type in paragliding whales and that stupid photo of me being bumd by jony pops up few days later and i would have been solo but nooooooooo

Phoney
NSW, 608 posts
4 Oct 2013 11:13AM
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"Whale watchers are urged to be alert and watch for whales at all times and not approach closer than 100m to any whale or 50m to any dolphin when in a boat. Limits also apply to people in the water and overflying aircraft."


50m from dolphins? Thats crazy. I've had them swim right underneath me while I've been paddling and also surfing on waves right along side me countless times with no problems. I wouldnt want to get tail kicked by one obviously, but from my experience they're pretty harmless.

sebol
WA, 753 posts
4 Oct 2013 5:06PM
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Select to expand quote
bene313 said..

GriffinKites said..

bene313 said..




GriffinKites said..
Reminds you that your alive, and to live life while you still can.....





Yes, until you run into a whale, snap your board and get sucked 20m under when it dives! That if you're lucky enough not to be decapitated by the tail.

Might be a "special experience", but very dangerous.




Awesome, haters going to hate on kiting with whales, did you read the part about all the kiters keeping there distance? All the kiters where taking care and keeping a good distance from the whales, very aware of the dangers and doing something that many people only dream of....




Being able to count the number of females and calves does not sound like keeping your distance. For what you see on the surface, could be many others below or nearby.

Go ask the old wind surfers if they know anyone who has been in trouble with whales NW WA.

Go ask the old commercial fishermen if they'll go near a whale. They do the opposite, keep well away.




Some people are special , you qualify



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"Kiting with whales" started by DutchRooster