Paddleboarder Gets Amazing Footage Of Playful Orcas

Paddleboarder Rich German has set out off the coast of Laguna Beach, Calif., for years, trying to get a look at orcas, sometimes referred to as killer whales. Though he’s had many an encounter with dolphins and other whales, the orca had always alluded him, until last week. He posted the video below to his Facebook and YouTube pages, when several orcas swam under him, breached the water’s surface, and appeared to be quite playful with German and some of the whale-watching boats around.

Though orcas are not technically classified as an endangered species, their habitats are under threat from oil spills and pollution, and conservation efforts exist to make sure their population remains strong.