Pilot Whales: Atlantic ocean adventure takes unexpected turn as whales bump boat: Solo paddler calls it ‘incredible sight, but scary’

An adventurer paddling solo across the Atlantic Ocean encountered a massive pod of pilot whales, leaving him both exhilarated and alarmed. Tom Waddington, travelling from Newfoundland to England, found himself surrounded by long-finned pilot whales on July 7, shortly after a morning drizzle.
Waddington shared his experience on Instagram, expressing both wonder and concern.“This is so cool. A pod of whales is circling the boat and playing around it. I love it, but I’m worried they might hit my rudder. They’re so close, see?”
He was able to hear them. Describing the experience, he said, “I can hear them blowing bubbles. Wow, that is so cool. What a special treat. I’ve seen many whales before, but they’re just here to say hello.”
The situation took a worrying turn when one of the whales bumped into his boat, causing Waddington to drop his camera and briefly stop filming.
Resuming the video, his tone reflected growing apprehension. “I’m two hours in now with these thousands of whales. One bumped the boat earlier, and I’m really scared they might hit it again. It’s an incredible sight, but also very frightening.”

Waddington’s journey was monitored by a crew from shore, who later informed him that the whales eventually swam away, allowing him to continue paddling towards land.
Though Waddington emerged unscathed, the experience underscored the challenges and realities of sharing the ocean with large marine creatures. He later recounted this encounter on social media, highlighting the shift from a serene wildlife moment to a more daunting reality.
Experts believe the whales Waddington encountered were likely long-finned pilot whales, distinguished by their social nature and tendency to travel in large groups. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, these whales commonly form tight-knit pods and inhabit the North Atlantic.