A pod of 5-6 orcas including a calf gave local paddleboarders and a kayaker a close encounter around 12pm yesterday.
The pod entered the port yesterday, swimming surprisingly close to Rocks Rd and Tahunanui Beach before heading down the blind channel and then in the direction of Rabbit Island as they hunted stingrays.
Local paddleboarder Lyndon Chandler managed to strap on a go pro, grab his board and race down to Tahunanui Beach to follow the pod down the blind channel.
“I busted my butt to catch up to them up… it’s an amazing experience, you don’t feel unsafe at all, you’re just wondering where they are and when you can get the next best shot of them.”
Above is the footage Lyndon managed to capture of the mother and calf.
