Swimming With Whales: Dana Point Woman Helps Baby Whale "Carly"

DANA POINT, CA — You may have seen the footage of paddleboarders near a lost baby gray whale, but there is more to the story, Patch has learned. The gray whale found its way into Dana Point Harbor into the path of participants from the Just Like Me Foundation's program for youth with special needs. All had an amazing paddleboarding experience that they will never forget, according to those present.

Amy Lagera, who works for the Adaptive Freedom Foundation that makes special paddleboards with outriggers, known as WASUP boards (Wheelchair Adapted Stand Up Paddleboards), jumped into the water to try and guide the gray whale out of the harbor with nothing but her own kindness and compassion.

Lagera spoke of concern for the whale's well-being, and worked together with the paddlers, including one on a WASUP board, tried to funnel the animal back into open ocean. Lagera was on the front of the board, jumped into the water to try and help guide the gray whale out of the harbor.

"We had heard there was a baby whale that had gotten lost and was sighted in the harbor earlier that morning," Amy said. "I had paddled out with Seth, from Bridging the Gap, who was volunteering with our group that day, and Mia, a participant from Just Like Me. We watched as she [the whale] kept swimming closer to shore. We followed her over in hopes we could guide her back to the harbor entrance. She swam over to the docks and got herself wedged into a corner."

There are no words...

"A group of paddle boarders, a kayaker, and a lifeguard worked together to try to get her re-oriented and help her find her way out. I felt her helplessness and wanted to help," Amy explained. "I thought I was less threatening than a paddleboard or kayak so I swam towards her hoping to guide her out. She let me come in close. She was facing the wall so I turned her around and she swam away. There are no words to explain the feeling. I wasn't scared at all. She needed help and so I did what I could. I could feel her anxiety and I was relieved when she swam away. It is a memory I will treasure forever! And I am so grateful we were able to share it with Adaptive Freedom Foundation, Bridging the Gap, and Just Like Me Foundation! What a blessing!"

A Whale Named Carly...

The juvenile whale eventually found its way back out to sea.

It was last seen off the coast of Laguna Beach and was heading north, according to Captain Dave Anderson, owner of Captain Dave's Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari.

Most gray whales spend the summer months feeding on small crustaceans like amphipods in the cold waters near Alaska. By winter, they'll begin their migration again back down the coast to the warm lagoons of Baja, Mexico, to mate and give birth.

Anderson observed the scene unfold in Dana Point Harbor while operating his whale watching catamaran.

"We can only guess as to why the whale was in the harbor," Anderson said. "It most likely mistakenly came in as it was swimming up the coast heading towards Alaska, like all the other gray whales have long ago gone to feed. It could be that the whale paused to find food once in the harbor. And it could be that the whale was confused and could not relocate the way out as most assumed. It is a natural occurrence, a whale coming in the harbor, which happens a few times every year, however the whales always find their way out. Though they normally don't stay as long as Carly did."

"It could be that this whale was aware of how to get out and was finding food, as it did go to harbor entrance a few times and return to baby beach and foraged, although it is hard to be certain," Anderson said. "Gray whales feed off the bottom, and we saw it looking like it was doing some feeding. Hard to see for sure exactly what it was doing. Or, perhaps it was in fact having trouble locating the exit. But in general whales will find their way out eventually."

According to Anderson, NOAA usually recommends not trying to help lost whales, so as to reduce the chances of causing them additional stress, or people accidentally getting hurt if the whale feels threatened.

"In this case I believe everyone involved with this effort, trying to get the animal out of the harbor, were well meaning and did not cause any harm, and for all we know maybe the whale really was having trouble finding its way out and they helped it," Anderson said. "In most cases though, it is best to leave the whale alone to find its own way. It may take longer but the whale will find its way out."

The gray whale may have moved on but it left behind an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.

Seth Hodosh, owner of Bridging the Gap, helped organize the paddleboarding event at Baby Beach in Dana Point Harbor.

"We work with a large demographic of people, all capable of different abilities; helping them to succeed in their goals through different modalities of training," Hodosh said. "Our friends at Adaptive Freedom Foundation brought their amazing wheelchair adaptive paddleboards, and we were able to help the kids do something they had never done before. Lucky for us the baby gray whale came to say hello to everyone and play with us in the water. It was such a beautiful thing to see the kids and their families light up from such a unique and rare experience. Every event we do is magical!"For twenty years Capt. Dave's Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari has offered year round, eco-friendly, dolphin and whale watching excursions aboard unique, high-tech catamarans with exclusive features including Eye-to-Eye Underwater Viewing Pods.

For more information, visit: Capt. Dave's Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari.

Photo, youtube screen capture.