By Josie October 27th, 2023
This surfer’s ride quickly went from a blissful afternoon to a near-death experience when a breaching whale nearly wiped him out
While the exact weight of the whale that collided with Jason cannot be known for sure, humpback whales can weigh anywhere from 25 to 30 metric tons.
Luckily for Jason though, the breaching whale was, in all likelihood, a juvenile whale who hadn’t quite reached this huge size just yet.
The force exerted is immense given the whale’s weight and the acceleration required to break free from the water’s resistance.
Before executing a full breach, reaches its top speed of approximately 17.4 miles per hour.
Jason Breen was wingfoiling at Mona Vale beach when a humpback whale soared out of the water, landing on top of him.
Miraculously, he resurfaced, thanks to his board’s leash snapping, allowing him to make his way back to the shore.
Several theories suggest reasons for this behavior, including communication, playfulness, removing parasites, or even as a hunting strategy.
Regardless of the reason, witnessing a breaching whale is a breathtaking experience, showcasing the might and grace of these marine mammals.