American Oceans

California Kayakers Nearly Swallowed: Humpback Encounter Turns Surprise Adventure

Summary of the Kayaking Incident

On a seemingly tranquil morning at Avila Beach in California, two kayakers encountered an unexpected event while observing humpback whales. Liz Cottriel and Julie McSorley were admiring the marine giants from a safe distance when suddenly a school of fish burst to the surface, followed closely by a whale. The enormous creature’s appearance caught them off-guard, and they found themselves abruptly submerged in the water.

Save Article

Want to save this article?


The encounter quickly escalated when the surrounding fish agitated the waters, causing McSorley to realize the potential danger as the whale approached. Although McSorley thought about the improbability of deflecting a creature as massive as a whale, Cottriel, in the midst of her startling experience, humorously considered the notion of pushing the whale away to avert any harm.

After the pair resurfaced, onlookers—including other kayakers and paddleboarders—rushed to their aid, ensuring they were not injured. Concerns were raised about the possibility of the whale mistaking the kayak for part of its meal, however, the women were found to be safe, albeit slightly shaken by the experience. Amid the turmoil, a misfortune occurred: McSorley’s car keys were lost to the depths.

Documentation of this extraordinary event was captured by McSorley on her mobile phone, which has since attracted widespread attention on the internet, turning their whale watching adventure into a tale discussed by many. The two paddled back to shore unharmed, left with a remarkable story of their close whale encounter.

Add comment