# OMG!!...I've heard fish jumping in boat stories.. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 10, 2005, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-ive-heard-fish-jumping-in-boat-stories/283989 "2005-01-10T03:57:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2005, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-ive-heard-fish-jumping-in-boat-stories/283989/1 "2005-01-10T03:57:35Z")
But this one takes the cake. [http://www.rense.com/1.imagesG/regis\_fait\_du\_kayak1.mpeg](http://www.rense.com/1.imagesG/regis_fait_du_kayak1.mpeg) ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2005, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-ive-heard-fish-jumping-in-boat-stories/283989/2 "2005-01-10T04:10:20Z")
I’m not sure what I’m seeing; I just see water and vague fishy shapes in a very brief clip. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2005, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-ive-heard-fish-jumping-in-boat-stories/283989/3 "2005-01-10T04:11:18Z")
Yikes. Guess freeing Willy wasn’t such a great idea. ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2005, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-ive-heard-fish-jumping-in-boat-stories/283989/4 "2005-01-10T04:14:16Z")
Got it, it wasn’t loading properly in Firefox for some reason. Whoa. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2005, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-ive-heard-fish-jumping-in-boat-stories/283989/5 "2005-01-10T04:23:04Z")
Now that’s what I call a **CANNONBALLLLLLLLLL!!!** ---
**Author:** ![Eats\_Crayons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2005, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-ive-heard-fish-jumping-in-boat-stories/283989/6 "2005-01-10T13:30:53Z")
That made my go “Oof!” in sympathy. Too bad the audio cuts out so early. The concern you hear in the voices gives way to a cackle of relief as the guy waves that he’s okay. It’s kinda funny. Dunno what language they’re speaking, but the little yelp of relief transcends the language barrier. ---
**Author:** ![Roland\_Orzabal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@Roland\_Orzabal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roland_Orzabal)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2005, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-ive-heard-fish-jumping-in-boat-stories/283989/7 "2005-01-10T13:39:21Z")
Y’know, I usually try to avoid this particular vernacular, but sometimes, there’s just no other way to put it… **pwn3d!** ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2005, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-ive-heard-fish-jumping-in-boat-stories/283989/8 "2005-01-10T13:56:55Z")
The orca must have misaken the kayaker for food. I don’t think I’d be going out into open waters after something like that… :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2005, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-ive-heard-fish-jumping-in-boat-stories/283989/9 "2005-01-10T14:18:56Z")
> [@Zabali\_Clawbane](#): > > The orca must have misaken the kayaker for food. I don’t think I’d be going out into open waters after something like that… :eek: :dubious: The Orca was bored, & did it for shits & giggles. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2005, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-ive-heard-fish-jumping-in-boat-stories/283989/10 "2005-01-10T14:39:28Z")
The Orca had money on the race and that guy was making a comeback. ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2005, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-ive-heard-fish-jumping-in-boat-stories/283989/11 "2005-01-10T14:44:12Z")
Must’ve made a disparaging remark about Shamu. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2005, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-ive-heard-fish-jumping-in-boat-stories/283989/12 "2005-01-10T15:03:56Z")
> [@Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor](#): > > :dubious: > The Orca was bored, & did it for shits & giggles. Which part didn’t you understand? [Orcas](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orca) hunt seals, just like sharks. It is [theorized]([http://web.ask.com/redir?bpg=http%3A%2F%2Fweb.ask.com%2Fweb%3Fq%3DDo%2BShark%2Bmistake%2Bkayakers%2Bfor%2Bseals%3f%26o%3D0%26page%3D1&q=Do+Shark+mistake+kayakers+for+seals%3F&u=http%3A%2F%2Ftm.wc.ask.com%2Fr%3Ft%3Dan%26s%3Da%26uid%3D03AD6A3925C392E14%26sid%3D1C90CA3925C392E14%26qid%3D324FE7648D62ED4E956319A2D893CDB3%26io%3D1%26sv%3Dza5cb0db2%26o%3D0%26ask%3DDo%2BShark%2Bmistake%2Bkayakers%2Bfor%2Bseals%3f%26uip%3D446743d6%26en%3Dte%26eo%3D-100%26pt%3DWhite%2BShark%2BAttacks%3a%2BMistaken%2BIdentity%2Bor%2BSomething%2BElse%3f%26ac%3D6%26qs%3D1%26pg%3D1%26ep%3D1%26te\_par%3D102%26te\_id%3D%26u%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.elasmo-research.org%2Feducation%2Fwhite\_shark%2Fmistaken\_identity.htm&s=a&bu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.elasmo-research.org%2Feducation%2Fwhite\_shark%2Fmistaken\_identity.htm&qte=0&o=0&abs=Kinder%2C+Gentler+Shark+Deterrents+](http://web.ask.com/redir?bpg=http%3a%2f%2fweb.ask.com%2fweb%3fq%3dDo%2bShark%2bmistake%2bkayakers%2bfor%2bseals%253f%26o%3d0%26page%3d1&q=Do+Shark+mistake+kayakers+for+seals%3f&u=http%3a%2f%2ftm.wc.ask.com%2fr%3ft%3dan%26s%3da%26uid%3d03AD6A3925C392E14%26sid%3d1C90CA3925C392E14%26qid%3d324FE7648D62ED4E956319A2D893CDB3%26io%3d1%26sv%3dza5cb0db2%26o%3d0%26ask%3dDo%2bShark%2bmistake%2bkayakers%2bfor%2bseals%253f%26uip%3d446743d6%26en%3dte%26eo%3d-100%26pt%3dWhite%2bShark%2bAttacks%253a%2bMistaken%2bIdentity%2bor%2bSomething%2bElse%253f%26ac%3d6%26qs%3d1%26pg%3d1%26ep%3d1%26te_par%3d102%26te_id%3d%26u%3dhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.elasmo-research.org%2feducation%2fwhite_shark%2fmistaken_identity.htm&s=a&bu=http%3a%2f%2fwww.elasmo-research.org%2feducation%2fwhite_shark%2fmistaken_identity.htm&qte=0&o=0&abs=Kinder%2c+Gentler+Shark+Deterrents+)…+these+predators+occasionally+mistake+…+for+that+of+pinnipeds+(seals+and+sea+…+divers%2c+surfers%2c+and+sea…&tit=White+Shark+Attacks%3a+Mistaken+Identity+or+Something+Else%3f&bin=&cat=wp&purl=http%3a%2f%[2ftm.wc.ask.com](http://2ftm.wc.ask.com)%2fi%2fb.html%3ft%3dan%26s%3da%26uid%3d03AD6A3925C392E14%26sid%3d1C90CA3925C392E14%26qid%3d324FE7648D62ED4E956319A2D893CDB3%26io%3d%26sv%3dza5cb0db2%26o%3d0%26ask%3dDo%2bShark%2bmistake%2bkayakers%2bfor%2bseals%253f%26uip%3d446743d6%26en%3dbm%26eo%3d-100%26pt%3d%26ac%3d24%26qs%3d1%26pg%3d1%26u%3dhttp%3a%2f%[2fmyjeeves.ask.com](http://2fmyjeeves.ask.com)%2faction%2fsnip&Complete=1) that sharks have mistaken surfboarders AND kayakers for seals. (From below they have a very similar silhouette) Therefore, it’s also possible that this is what occured in the footage. Maybe not as likely, but possible. Certainly mine was a more scientific posit than yours. :dubious: yourself! ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2005, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-ive-heard-fish-jumping-in-boat-stories/283989/13 "2005-01-10T15:14:29Z")
I give the Orca a 9.9! ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2005, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-ive-heard-fish-jumping-in-boat-stories/283989/14 "2005-01-10T15:30:04Z")
> [@Zabali\_Clawbane](#): > > Which part didn’t you understand? [Orcas](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orca) hunt seals, just like sharks. It is [theorized]([Ask.com - What's Your Question?](http://web.ask.com/redir?bpg=http%3a%2f%2fweb.ask.com%2fweb%3fq%3dDo%2bShark%2bmistake%2bkayakers%2bfor%2bseals%253f%26o%3d0%26page%3d1&q=Do+Shark+mistake+kayakers+for+seals%3f&u=http%3a%2f%2ftm.wc.ask.com%2fr%3ft%3dan%26s%3da%26uid%3d03AD6A3925C392E14%26sid%3d1C90CA3925C392E14%26qid%3d324FE7648D62ED4E956319A2D893CDB3%26io%3d1%26sv%3dza5cb0db2%26o%3d0%26ask%3dDo%2bShark%2bmistake%2bkayakers%2bfor%2bseals%253f%26uip%3d446743d6%26en%3dte%26eo%3d-100%26pt%3dWhite%2bShark%2bAttacks%253a%2bMistaken%2bIdentity%2bor%2bSomething%2bElse%253f%26ac%3d6%26qs%3d1%26pg%3d1%26ep%3d1%26te_par%3d102%26te_id%3d%26u%3dhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.elasmo-research.org%2feducation%2fwhite_shark%2fmistaken_identity.htm&s=a&bu=http%3a%2f%2fwww.elasmo-research.org%2feducation%2fwhite_shark%2fmistaken_identity.htm&qte=0&o=0&abs=Kinder%2c+Gentler+Shark+Deterrents+)…+these+predators+occasionally+mistake+…+for+that+of+pinnipeds+(seals+and+sea+…+divers%2c+surfers%2c+and+sea…&tit=White+Shark+Attacks%3a+Mistaken+Identity+or+Something+Else%3f&bin=&cat=wp&purl=http%3a%2f%[2ftm.wc.ask.com](http://2ftm.wc.ask.com)%2fi%2fb.html%3ft%3dan%26s%3da%26uid%3d03AD6A3925C392E14%26sid%3d1C90CA3925C392E14%26qid%3d324FE7648D62ED4E956319A2D893CDB3%26io%3d%26sv%3dza5cb0db2%26o%3d0%26ask%3dDo%2bShark%2bmistake%2bkayakers%2bfor%2bseals%253f%26uip%3d446743d6%26en%3dbm%26eo%3d-100%26pt%3d%26ac%3d24%26qs%3d1%26pg%3d1%26u%3dhttp%3a%2f%[2fmyjeeves.ask.com](http://2fmyjeeves.ask.com)%2faction%2fsnip&Complete=1) that sharks have mistaken surfboarders AND kayakers for seals. (From below they have a very similar silhouette) Therefore, it’s also possible that this is what occured in the footage. Maybe not as likely, but possible. Certainly mine was a more scientific posit than yours. :dubious: yourself! First, I understand that you are rude. Second, many mammals with higher brain functions engage in “play” behaviors. Third, Orcas, like Dolphins, have very sophisticated echolocation abilities, as well as a high intelligence. Unlikely to confuse a kayak/canoe with food. Fourthly, if the Orca **had** confised it with food, be it seal or otherwise, the poor man would have been bitten in half. Conclusion: Shamu was pulling a nasty prank. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2005, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-ive-heard-fish-jumping-in-boat-stories/283989/15 "2005-01-10T15:42:00Z")
IIRC, (been a while since I saw the nature spot about them) sometimes they will leap up and push their prey underwater, so that it drowns. The article I linked does mention them “playing catch” with prey amongst themselves, and it also mentions that they use “many” methods to hunt. They have many different methods of hunt. As for rude, you broke out the :dubious: first. Maybe you didn’t mean that post to come out as pretentious and patronising as it did, but the fact remains that this is the tone that came through, due in large part to the emoticon you chose to use. Maybe more words were in order, to ensure that the “social tone” of your message was clear, along with the intellectual meaning? ---
**Author:** ![rjk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@rjk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjk)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2005, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-ive-heard-fish-jumping-in-boat-stories/283989/16 "2005-01-10T15:46:51Z")
Whether it was food or play, the kayak was way outclassed. For a more even match, think back to _Moby Dick_, and look [here](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whaleship_Essex). The whale did pretty well in that one too. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2005, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-ive-heard-fish-jumping-in-boat-stories/283989/17 "2005-01-10T15:48:32Z")
Exactly, other predatory whales have been known to leap up out of the water and “bellyflop” on top of prey… ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2005, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-ive-heard-fish-jumping-in-boat-stories/283989/18 "2005-01-10T15:52:58Z")
Further, who’s to say **Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor** and I both aren’t right, the whale thought the kayaker was food, and was playing with it’s food? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Crunchy\_Crunch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Captain\_Crunchy\_Crunch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Crunchy_Crunch)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2005, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-ive-heard-fish-jumping-in-boat-stories/283989/19 "2005-01-10T15:58:42Z")
Whoa! :eek: All I can say is, that guy is really lucky the Orca did not fall on his head! His neck would have snapped like a twig! That was a big ass Orca! ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2005, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-ive-heard-fish-jumping-in-boat-stories/283989/20 "2005-01-10T16:05:53Z")
> [@Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor](#): > > **Third, Orcas, like Dolphins, have very sophisticated echolocation abilities, as well as a high intelligence. Unlikely to confuse a kayak/canoe with food.** > [@](#): > > **Orcas rely on sight, hearing and an amazing intelligence** to identify their prey. Orcas generally hunt in pods and often take dolphins and seals as > the prey swims underwater. Killer Whale pods locate a group of dolphins or > seals (or whatever else is available) and herd them into a bay to panic > them. Then they have a number of different strategies available to them to > select an individual prey item from the corralled group. From [this](http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/nov2000/974284335.Zo.r.html) page, just fyi. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-ive-heard-fish-jumping-in-boat-stories/283989.md?page=2)