New Jersey Paddleboarder Has Incredibly Close Encounter With Humpback Whale

Brian Shea was paddleboarding off Long Branch, New Jersey, on November 11 when he spotted a humpback whale not far off. That was pretty impressive, but then the whale went under, only to resurface within inches of his board.

Shea’s mixture of shock and delight can clearly be heard.

“I was more in awe than afraid … and view the entire experience as something I’m so fortunate to see in nature,” Shea told NBC 4. Credit: Brian Shea via Storyful