A paddle boarder from Hull has described the moment an inquisitive seal made her feel like a Disney princess, while in the sea off Flamborough. Natalia Kochalska, 21, was on a day out with her mum, Alicja and a group of friends when they came across a herd of seals.
The keen paddle boarder was out in the sea surrounding Flamborough Lighthouse when an adorable fin-footed visitor came up to her. Luckily she had her phone on her and was able to film and photograph the encounter, which lasted several minutes.
Natalia, who is originally from Poland, explained: “We paddled out to near the Lighthouse and there were loads of seals everywhere. They were popping their heads up, really curious. And this little seal just swam up to me and my mum.
“We thought it was going to dive back down but it kept coming closer and it came up to our paddle board and was trying to play with the paddle. It was really cute.”
The seal actually tried nibbling on the pair’s paddle before heading off. Natalia and her mum were two of many in the water on Saturday, but they didn’t see anyone else being paid an up close visit from one of the herd.
(Image: Natalia Kochalska)
She added: “It seemed like it was used to people actually, but it was only me and my mum that it came up to. And it stayed for such a long time. At first it came up, touched the paddle board and then went back down before it came up again and it was playing with the paddle. It was literally playful, like a dog.”
The waters at Flamborough are a popular paddle boarding area, where many enthusiasts go to visit the network of caves along the chalk cliff coast with its stacks and arches providing a scenic background. Conditions on Saturday were calm, which meant plenty of people were out enjoying the water, with many stopped to take pictures of the seals as they fished and played.
Day trippers were also watching the aquatic creatues from atop the cliffs, but it was Natalia and her mum who were given an experience they will never forget. Natalia plans to go back to the spot in the future though doubts she will be so lucky again. She said: “I felt like a Disney princess just having this wild animal come up to me and trying to play.”
Natalia and her mum had thought not to stick their arms out or try and touch the seal and to allow it to be curious before eventually moving away. Advice to swimmers and paddle boarders is much the same, with Stand Up Paddle Magazine suggesting you should try not to disturb seals but to remain calm if they come up to you, as in Natalia’s case.
(Image: Natalia Kochalska)
The magazine has given advice in the circumstances, saying: “If a seal attempts to get on your board, stay relaxed and allow it to happen; the seal should move off on its own. If a seal is following you, keep moving. They are incredibly curious animals but will quickly lose interest if you do not engage with them.”