Stingray-hunting orca close to shore | Bay of Plenty News | Local News in Bay of Plenty

Kayaker Tim Taylor will never forget his training session yesterday.

The Mount Maunganui man, who is training to be the first to kayak solo around New Zealand, shared the waters with four orca whales.

Mr Taylor had paddled to sea off the Main Beach yesterday morning when he was stunned to see the large sea creatures.

"When I first saw them, they were the same distance out as Rabbit Island.

"I saw them spout their blow-hole thing. I had heard on the radio there had been some around on the weekend, so as soon as I saw that I knew what it was.

"I paddled as fast as I could to see them."

The whales then swam towards the shore until they were just 20m off the beach, delighting morning walkers.

"They were cruising around right in the shallows there, catching stingray.

"They came within touching distance, that's how close they were. They didn't seem too worried about me. They went cruising around and came and had a look, and would come up with a stingray in their mouth."

Mr Taylor paddled near the orcas for about 45 minutes, before they swam off towards Karewa Island. He estimated the animals were about 5m long - the same length as his kayak.

"I sort of cruised around and followed them. They went up and around all the rocks around the Mount there.

"They got really close - I thought they could have been trying to scratch themselves on the rocks.".

Mr Taylor, a kayaker since age 12, has never before had such a close encounter with marine mammals.

"I have spent my entire life out in the Bay, and I've never seen orca here.

"I was pretty stoked to see that. It was a pretty interesting morning."

Fortunately, he always carries a waterproof digital camera on board his kayak, and was able to capture the magic moment.

The former Tauranga Boys' College student is in serious training for his 5500km journey to circumnavigate New Zealand.

He will set off on November 27 on the journey, which should take four to six months to complete.

Dr Ingrid Visser of the Orca Research Trust said it was not uncommon to see orca at this time of year in New Zealand - sometimes as close as a metre off shore.

"They are hunting for stingray. It's [still] a unique and special experience."

By law, vessels are required to keep at least 50m away from whales, or 200m from any large whale mother and calf or calves.

Dr Visser is making a documentary with the BBC and would like any orca sightings reported to the orca hotline, 0800 SEE ORCA (0800 733 6722).