Extraordinary photo shows moment Byron surfer is almost hit by a dolphin at The Pass
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Extraordinary Photo Shows The Moment A Cheeky Dolphin Nearly PUNCHES A Surfer In The Swell
- Surfers in Byron wrecked with dolphins on Sunday
- Local enthusiast captured an extraordinary moment on camera
One remarkable photo shows the moment a playful dolphin nearly knocked a surfer off his board, as perfect conditions on the East Coast brought them out in droves.
Dozens of dolphins joined surfers in the waves at The Pass, a beach in Byron Bay, New South Wales, at the weekend, with north-westerly winds from Cyclone Gabrielle whipping up decent swells.
“The surfers were having the time of their lives, but the dolphins were having more fun,” amateur photographer Paul Stanley-Jones told Daily Mail Australia.
‘Some waves had 10, 20, 30 dolphins under them.’
One photo in particular, where a dolphin almost appears to collide with a surfer, caught the attention of locals, with many Byron residents expressing their amazement at how eager the dolphins were to play with humans.
A surfer was nearly knocked off his board by a playful dolphin at The Pass in Byron Bay, NSW on Sunday.
Mr Stanley-Jones, who has been surfing since he was six years old, said of surfing with the majestic animals: “It’s quite fluffy the first time they swim with you.”
“They’re not small creatures, but it’s magical once you get used to them swimming under your board and next to you.”
Stanley-Jones said he often goes outside to admire the waves when he can’t get in himself.
“I print photos for surfers when I can take them because it’s one thing to live it while you’re out there, but when someone captures it you can relive it forever.”
“Some waves had 10, 20, 30 dolphins under them,” photographer Paul Stanley-Jones told Daily Mail Australia.
He was unable to locate the unidentified surfers, but wishes to provide them with high-quality copies of the photographs he took.
Stanley-Jones said that after Cyclone Gabrielle hit New Zealand’s North Island, it created the perfect windy conditions for a day of surfing.
When he got out, he expected to spend an hour taking photos, but ended up sitting for more than seven hours after the dolphins arrived, leaving with more than 680 photos on his camera.
“They are such beautiful and inquisitive creatures,” Stanley-Jones said.
“As surfers, when there are dolphins around, apparently there are no sharks.
“I don’t know if that’s true, but I’ve never seen a shark around when there are dolphins around.”
The Pass (pictured) is one of the three main beaches in Byron Bay, NSW, and is a popular place to learn to surf.