“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
— Ferris Bueller
This quote came to mind today while we were sailing.
We weren’t alone.
A humpback whale had surfaced near the boat, close enough to see the silvery barnacles along its back. It was swimming with us. Not just near us, but with us.
And then, predictably, came the roar.
A powerboat throttled into view like a dog off-leash, engine howling. The humpback dove. Gone with one tail flick.
Powerboaters Might Never Know They’re Missing
Here’s what they didn’t see:
- The deliberate stillness of the whale beside us.
- The soft exhale from its blowhole, loud but calm, like the ocean breathing.
- The quiet miracle of being chosen. That’s what it feels like when wildlife doesn’t just tolerate you, but trusts you enough to linger.
And here’s the kicker: they were right there. Just a few hundred feet away. But their noise — their speed — meant they got nothing but bubbles.
Slowing Down at Sea: Why It Matters More Than You Think
Sailors and paddlers know that wildlife doesn’t shout. It waits for quiet.
Wildlife isn’t just scenery. It’s a conversation. One we’re constantly interrupting with engines, generators, and drones loud enough to rattle barnacles loose. And the louder we are, the less we’re invited in.
Powerboats aren’t the enemy. I just wonder how much they miss with the roar of their engines? I know they didn’t see this whale. He wasn’t putting on a show, just swimming silently beside us along the surface.
Lessons from a Humpback Whale: Move With the Ocean
If you’re out on the ocean because you love it, respect it enough to meet it at its speed. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is drift. Cut the engine. Watch. Listen.
You never know who might swim up beside you.
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