Key Takeaways
- A Wellington man, Joel Crampton, had a close encounter with several orcas while lying on a pontoon at Oriental Bay
- The orcas swam around him, coming as close as 2m away, and one even "spouted all over" him
- Crampton was initially startled and fearful, but later realized that orcas are harmless
- The experience did not deter him from swimming at Oriental Bay, and he plans to return to the spot again
- The encounter was captured on video by an onlooker and has been shared online
Introduction to the Encounter
A Wellington man has had a remarkable and unexpected encounter with several orcas while enjoying a quiet evening swim at Oriental Bay. Joel Crampton, the man at the center of the story, had started going for nightly swims at the bay as a way to reflect and pray. On this particular evening, he decided to lie down on the pontoon to take in the surroundings, but his peaceful moment was soon disrupted by an unexpected visitor. As he lay there, an orca whale suddenly appeared out of the water and "spouted all over" him, leaving him feeling "pretty awestruck" and startled.
The Close Encounter
The orca’s sudden appearance was not the only surprise that Crampton experienced that evening. As he stood up on the pontoon and looked down at the water, he saw that there were several orcas swimming around him, their fins slicing through the water just a few meters away. Crampton estimated that the orcas were around 2m away from him, which is an incredibly close distance. Initially, he felt a sense of fear, unsure of what to expect from these powerful creatures. However, as he watched them swim around him, he began to realize that they were not aggressive and meant him no harm.
The Aftermath of the Encounter
As the orcas swam away, Crampton quickly sprinted back to shore, still trying to process what had just happened. Despite the initial shock and fear, he was grateful to have had such a unique and unforgettable experience. When asked if the encounter had put him off swimming at Oriental Bay, Crampton replied that it had not, and he would likely return to the spot again the following evening. In fact, he seemed to be inspired by the encounter, and his respect and admiration for these amazing creatures had grown. The experience was also captured on video by an onlooker, which has been shared online, giving others a glimpse into this incredible moment.
The Reaction and Response
The video of the encounter, which shows Crampton standing on the pontoon and looking down at the orcas in shock, has been widely shared and viewed online. Many people have expressed amazement and wonder at the sight of these incredible creatures swimming so close to a human. Others have praised Crampton for his calm and respectful behavior during the encounter, which likely helped to ensure a peaceful outcome. The incident has also highlighted the importance of respecting and appreciating these amazing animals and their habitat, and the need for humans to coexist with them in a harmonious and sustainable way.
Conclusion and Reflection
The encounter between Joel Crampton and the orcas at Oriental Bay is a remarkable and inspiring story that highlights the beauty and power of nature. It is a reminder of the importance of respecting and appreciating the natural world, and the need for humans to coexist with animals in a harmonious and sustainable way. The experience has also shown that even in unexpected and surprising situations, humans can respond with calmness, respect, and admiration, leading to a positive and enriching outcome. As Crampton reflected on his experience, he was left with a sense of awe and wonder, and a newfound appreciation for these incredible creatures and their place in our world.
