Paddle surfer Jodie Nelson set out to standup-paddle 40 miles to raise awareness for breast cancer ... and made an unusual "friend" doing it: a 30-foot minke whale she named "Larry" swam alongside her and kept her company!
Minke whales are not commonly seen off Southern California, and those spotted by boaters are often elusive. So when a mammal Nelson named Larry joined her endeavor to become the first woman to make this long paddle, she took it as a sign.
"To me it was a total God thing," the San Clemente resident said. "We prayed at 4 that morning that God would reveal his beauty and creation and nature, and allow me to endure this long trek, so for me it's not such a huge surprise that this happened."
http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/blog/16812/california%2Bsurfer%2Breceives%2Bwhale%2Bof%2Ban%2Bescort%2Bduring%2Bmarathon%2Bpaddle/ | Jodie's official blog - Thanks Howard!
on another note, neat story.