Can we get too close to nature?
Mark Pawlak 
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California, canoeing, Kayaking, sea kayaking, swimming with whales, united states, Whales, whalewatchingSome sports take you closer to nature – and the closer you get, the greater your responsibility. Nature as scenery is passive; it’s usually the weather conditions that will pose the real danger. Until you come face to face with some of the biggest animals on the planet…
The video clip here is a controversial one. There’s no denying that it’s one of the most amazing handy cam clips ever – nature documentaries take years to get this close. But when is close too close?
Image: Flickr Chris Walker Innerwealth
The International Whaling Commission’s Scientific Committee (IWC SC) has previously noted that “whale swims have the potential to negatively impact whales through harassment and disturbance”.
Which really is not the plan. Further reading shows that divers have their own concerns. A piece in Scuba Diving.com suggests that the best place to view whales is from the boat. But watching the video below, we can see why this guy kayaking in the US (off California) took the opportunity.
Kayaking creates zero pollution, is about as respectful of the natural environment as is possible and offers opportunities that motorised sports could never. Still, kayaking at sea can bring you into unchartered territories: you are not on a boat, and only people but with experience and the skills to head out into the deeper oceans should venture so far.
But having spotted a pod of whales up ahead, would you follow the tell-tale exhaled blasts of mist or keep your distance? And if the opportunity arose, would you roll off and dive to join them?
Watch this before you make up your mind:
Related posts:
- Kayaking: Why throwing yourself in at the deep end works
- If nature is our playground….
- Nature is the law
3 Comments to “Can we get too close to nature?”
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Mark Pawlak
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It’s the moment he gets in the water that’s the most amazing. Right underneath him, I think I’d have wet my suit…
I truly believe that any animal can feel our energy, our intent. When we allow them to “Be” and not feel in danger or chased, it is much more of a gift of them coming up to you. I had the pleasure of a trip on the Silver Bank this year with Conscious Breath Adventures and will tell you that is the only way to go. It is a limited number of people per year, week and each day in the waters with the whales. The first thing is the concern and respect of the whales. That is the way it should be. We are in their waters anyway , right?!! They go in first and make the decision if the time is right for nine others to come in and observe. Never to intentional disturb nor chase the whales. And if you are lucky for one to come up to you directly and check you out, them you have been gifted for a life time because THEY chose to. Not because you chased them down. Now isn’t that much more of a thrill knowing that a creature choose to share themselves with you instead of forcing yourself upon them?!
Now I do understand how this can all get out of hand in areas that it is not being controlled. It is a “new” thing. And with each new thing being showed on the web comes the thrill seekers taking it out of its context, but we must keep in mind we are responsible for our human actions! We are not the only ones that can think, react, and have families. The creatures on this earth can and do all of these things and will do whatever they can to protect their self and their families. So ALWAYS have RESPECT for this earth and everything on it, for it gives us everything that sustains life for us.
I gotta say I’d be scared being that close to smnhteiog so big big (having only been around sea lions in a kayak) but how can you paddle around in flippers, chase around a whale and not jump in? seems like the best, scariest but lowest risk time to get AMAZING footage.