Overview

• A paddleboarder in Alaska had a close encounter with a surfacing humpback whale that glided under his board.
• The whale surfaced just yards in front of the paddleboarder, who expressed awe and fear at the massive creature.
• The paddleboarder kneeled on his board and braced himself as the whale passed directly underneath him.
• The man captured the dramatic moment on video but did not fall into the water during the encounter.
• Despite the scary experience, the paddleboarder says he plans to continue his hobby, calling it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.