By Liz Dunphy

A humpback whale was caught on video swimming with paddleboarders in Inchydoney, West Cork yesterday evening.

Corkman Jason Coniry can be seen in the video standing just feet from the whale on his paddleboard.

Video courtesy of Jason Coniry - Interacting with a 25 foot humpback in west cork.

“I still can't believe this happened but she swam right toward my board, rolled on her back and submersed just feet in front; she lifted me and the board very gently out of the water with her pectoral fin and then circled a few times passing under again,” said Mr Coniry.

Photo by Sean Casey

“After being lifted from the water I ended up on the whale's side for a moment. Such a magnificent creature and such a magical experience. I feel very grateful.”

He cautioned that whales are magnificent creatures but they need to be treated with utmost respect.

“It’s not a good idea for everyone to jump in the water with these animals,” said Mr Coniry, who has worked as a lifeguard and has surfed and paddleboarded regularly for years.

“Instinct guides us as to when it’s unsafe. The whale’s movements are very intentional and accurate. If it did not want us near it, we would definitely have known.”

Photo by Sean Casey

“We all should be respectful of our own limitations, and we must be respectful of these animals.”

“Our Irish coastline is largely unexplored and untapped, the West coast is one of the best places in the world to explore by paddleboard and we have amazing lakes and waterways all over the country. It’s great to be able to make the most of that,” he said.