Paddleboarders Up-Close Encounter With Giant Blue Whale (VIDEO)

YIKES!  This would freak me out!  ~Erin

Passengers aboard the Manute'a got an eye full recently when an 80-foot blue whale surfaced alongside the boat, stole a breath and revealed its massive backside and fluke. But the best view was enjoyed by a paddleboarder who got breathtakingly close to the great leviathan (see video).

This occurred last weekend off Dana Point, Calif., and the video, shot by David Anderson of Capt. Dave's Dolphin and Whale Safari, was posted this week. The paddleboarder appeared to be trying to capture underwater footage of the mammoth creature -- blue whales are the largest mammals ever to inhabit the planet -- when he jumped into the water as the whale dipped beneath the surface.

via Paddleboarder enjoys up-close encounter with giant blue whale.