NewsScottish NewsMoment Scottish kayaker is freaked out by leaping dolphin

Moment Scottish kayaker is freaked out by leaping dolphin

THIS is the amazing moment a 400kg bottlenose dolphin came too close for comfort for one Scottish kayaker.

Stunned Shane Wasik was keen to get back to the main boat after a pod of dolphins started playing in the bay of the Isle of Coll on the west coast of Scotland.

The 33-year-old owns the ecotourism business Basking Shark Scotland and was on the first trip of the season he was treated to the show which was a bit too close for comfort.

 

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The moment a 400kg dolphin leaps out the water just behind kayaker Shane Wasik. Picture by Luke Saddler, Basking Shark Scotland

 

Colleague Luke Saddler managed to capture the moment, and Shane’s worried expression, on camera.

“On Sunday night we got a report from a local that a pod of bottlenose dolphins were in the bay,” Shane explained.

“I headed out in the kayak to take photos.”

 

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The pod of dolphins started playing in the bay of the Isle of Coll. Picture by Luke Saddler, Basking Shark Scotland

 

He continued: “The dolphins were jumping all over the place.

“There was ten in the pod, all taking turns to jump and cartwheel. There was a calf with them as well.”

Speaking about the moment the photograph was taken he said. “It was a really amazing experience but getting that close I was glad to get back to the boat.

 

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There was ten in the pod, all taking turns to jump and cartwheel. Picture by Luke Saddler, Basking Shark Scotland

 

“It’s still a wild animal that can weigh over half a tonne.

“It was right behind me,” he laughed. “It was close enough.

Shane said it was rare to see dolphins at such close quarters in that area.

 

 

He said: “Even the locals were saying they have never seen them in the bay like that before.

“We’ve had a really good start to the season.”

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