Sport Today

When "Humphry the whale" first came into San Francisco Bay he detoured to
the South Sailing Basin at the Berkeley Marina. The tide was so low he was
exposed at eye level and as he swam his tail churned the water dark brown.
It was early on a Saturday morning and the wind was light, but I rigged as
fast as I could. I sailed to within 100 feet of Humphry and dared get no
closer. About that time the Coast Guard arrived hoping to coax Humphry to
deeper water before his lungs collapsed from his body weight. The Coast
Guard ordered me out of the area, so I backed off. Over the next two hours
I shadowed Humphry and the cruiser, as they headed erratically along the
old Berkeley pier ruins out into open water.

A sailing day I'll never forget.

Brian Burke

P.S. Humphry did not head out thru the Golden Gate that afternoon, but
toward Rio Vista on the Sacremento River. He vacationed there for mucho
days, generating a media circus.

we catch whales at Waddell & Scotts every spring like religion.  have
sailed to within 50 ft and dropped down to my board to check um out on at
least 5 occasions.  while surfing at Scott's, three were 'skyhopping' where
they nose up out of the water and rotate so that they can see better, they
were seriously checking out the surfers & stayed for about 20 minutes
watching us.  I was with Kyle Bernhardt of ASD, and some Santa Cruz bud.

some guys are a little more 'ballzy' about going close, they aren't afraid
generally.  however, your about gnat sized and could get seriously pasted
if one got pissed (watch for cows with calves).  they let you know when you
are bothering them 'cause they change direction / or dive.

very cool, and very much 'god' contact.