Surfers in British Columbia got a chance to get up close and personal with nature this week when they encountered a transient pod of orcas (killer whales) hunting seals right off the coast.
The surfers, catching waves off the beaches of Tofino, were chased out of the water by a pod of orcas numbering at least a dozen.
At first the orcas can be seen lazily hunting their prey – seals and sea lions – but as the camera pans to the right, a handful of surfers are spotted riding the swells right off the rocky coast.
As the videographer laughs, the surfers notice the orcas, and make their way back to shore.
Have you seen this amazing video yet? Orcas sharing the waves with surfers near #Tofino: bit.ly/VeDzH9
— Tourism BC (@TourismBC) March 1, 2013
The video, which was posted on YouTube on February 25, has already been viewed more than 200,000 times.
British Columbia is known for its vast Pacific Ocean vistas, and its stunningly beautiful natural environment.
Wild orcas are huge, though despite being called “killer whales”, are not known for attacking humans.
They tend to feed exclusively on fish and other marine mammals such as sea lions, seals, walruses, and other large whales.
Tofino, British Columbia (via Loxy!!/Flickr)