A breaching humpback whale knocked two kayakers into the water near Avila Beach, California. No one was injured in the capsize, according to reports. This footage, recorded by Mandy Boyle, shows the moment the huge mammal breaches the water's surface and knocks over the kayak with two people in it. Boyle said both the kayakers were unharmed and quickly returned to the surface, but harbor officials said the two kayakers were lucky to be alive. Humpback whales are known to be active near the California coast year-round, and officials advise people to keep a football field's distance between themselves and whales when possible to avoid situations such as a capsize. A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is highly unlikely to eat a kayaker—or even attempt to do so. Humpback whales are not predators of humans or large mammals, and their diet consists almost entirely of small marine organisms such as krill, plankton, and small fish like herring or anchovies. Here's why they wouldn't eat a kayaker: 1. Dietary Preferences Humpback whales are filter feeders. They use baleen plates in their mouths to strain tiny prey from large volumes of water. Their feeding mechanism is not suited for consuming large objects, let alone a human or a kayak. Even if a kayaker were near a feeding humpback, the whale would not recognize them as food because they don't fit the whale's dietary criteria. 2. Behavior Toward Humans Humpback whales are generally curious but not aggressive toward humans. In some areas, they are known to approach boats or divers out of curiosity, but there is no evidence of predatory behavior. In fact, humpback whales have been observed engaging in altruistic behaviors, such as protecting other species (including humans) from predators like orcas. 3. Physical Limitations A humpback whale's throat is relatively small compared to its massive body size. While estimates vary, it is believed that their esophagus is only wide enough to swallow prey that is a few inches in diameter. This means they physically cannot consume something as large as a human or a kayak. 4. Potential Risks to Kayakers While humpback whales won't intentionally try to harm or eat a kayaker, accidents can happen. A whale's sheer size and power could accidentally bump or overturn a kayak if the whale surfaces suddenly or moves too close. However, this would be an accident, not an act of predation. Humpback whales pose no threat to kayakers in terms of predation. If you encounter one while kayaking, it’s best to maintain a safe distance (typically at least 100 yards/91 meters) to avoid disturbing the animal or risking an accidental collision. These majestic creatures are more likely to inspire awe than fear!