“If it had barnacles I would have been ripped to pieces because he was beside me the whole time.” –Jason Breen
Classic case of wrong place wrong time for Sydney, Australia wing boarder Jason ‘ The Jaw’ Breen who filmed himself getting taken out by a breaching baby humpback whale off the Northern beaches.
Jason was cruising along, filming with his GoPro when the massive marine mammal broke the surface of the water and delivered a body blow. 1NEWS reports the humpback landed on Mr. Breen, who was then dragged under water after getting his leash tangled with the animal. Thankfully the leash snapped and resurfaced without any major injuries.
The chances of this happening are infinitesimally small and frankly if he didn’t have the footage to prove it would be hard to believe. What a story to tell:
FULL INTERVIEW WITH JASON BREEN:
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ABOUT HUMPBACK WHALES:
Humpback whales, scientifically known as Megaptera novaeangliae, are majestic marine mammals that belong to the baleen whale family. These giants of the ocean are renowned for their impressive acrobatic displays, including breaching, tail slapping, and pectoral fin waving. Distinctive for their long pectoral fins, which can reach up to one-third of their body length, humpbacks are found in oceans across the world.
These whales are known for their elaborate and haunting songs, typically sung by males during the breeding season. The songs can last up to 20 minutes and are thought to play a role in attracting mates or establishing territory. Humpback whales are migratory creatures, traveling thousands of kilometers between their feeding and breeding grounds. Their primary diet consists of small fish and krill, and they are characterized by the unique feeding method called “bubble netting,” where they use a coordinated group effort to trap and consume prey.
Despite their immense size, humpback whales are known for their gentle nature, often approaching boats and displaying curiosity towards humans. Conservation efforts have been implemented to protect these magnificent creatures, as they face threats such as entanglement in fishing gear and habitat degradation.