I SURVIVED!

WHEN FACED WITH CERTAIN DEATH, YOU NEED BRAVERY, DETERMINATIONAND PLENTY OF LUCK. THE STORIES OF FOUR PEOPLE WHO LIVED TO TELL

I SURVIVED BEING SWALLOWED BY A WHALE

JULIE MCSORLEY, 56, PHYSICAL THERAPIST

I live with my husband, Tyrone McSorley, in San Luis Obispo, California, about five kilometres from the beach. Every few years, the humpback whales come into the bay for a few days while they're migrating. November 2020 was one of those times, so we took out our yellow double kayak to watch the wildlife. We paddled out the length of the pier and saw seals, dolphins and about 20 whales feeding on silver fish. We were in awe watching these graceful behemoths-each one about 50 feet long-breach and spray through their blowholes. We laughed when they turned their side fins so that it looked as if they were waving at us.

At the time, my friend Liz Cottriel was staying with us. The next day, I asked her if she wanted to go out on the water to see them.

“No way," said Liz, now 65. She was not an experienced kayaker and was terrified that the kayak would overturn while we were surrounded by hungry whales. “There's nothing to worry about," I assured her. “The craft is stable, and we can turn back anytime.” After some cajoling, she finally agreed to join me. I didn't want her to miss this magnificent experience and regret it later.

OUR KAYAK LIFTED OUT OF THE WATER, AND LIZ AND I SLIPPED OUT INTO THE WHALE'S MOUTH.

Liz and I got out on the water at 8:30 the following morning. There were already about 15 other kayakers and paddleboarders in the bay. It was warm for November-about 19 degrees Celsius-so we wore T-shirts and leggings. After a half-hour, we had our first whale sighting just past the pier: two humpbacks swimming towards us. How amazing to be that close to a creature that size, I thought as the whales dipped under the waterline.