Instead of catching waves, a Sooke surfer caught the attention of a 鈥渇risky鈥� sea otter who decided to try its paw at the sport, climbing onboard to ride tandem.

鈥淸It was] a unique experience that I'll cherish forever,鈥� said Philip Blenkiron.

And unique it certainly was, with the aquatic animal taking a puzzling overzealous liking to the surfer.

Before his encounter, Blenkiron says he observed the sea otter 鈥渉arassing鈥� another surfer, who decided to exit the water.

So when the marine mammal set his sights on him, Blenkiron says he was initially concerned.

鈥淗e seemed super chill at first, then it playfully bit my arm,鈥� he said. 鈥淲asn't much force at all, so figured he was playing.鈥�

When he realized the animal meant no harm, Blenkiron leaned into the moment and enjoyed it.

But he soon realized the sea otter was a bit wet behind the ears when it came to surfing etiquette 鈥� the animal was clearly not aware of rule number one: 鈥楾he surfer who is nearest the area where the wave is breaking has priority to surf it.鈥�

鈥淚 continued to paddle for waves but he kept jumping on my board and getting too close, not leaving me room to paddle,鈥� said Blenkiron, who tried to mix up his behaviour to confuse the animal.

鈥淓ventually I caught a few waves but the otter would race me and he beat me every time to where the wave would finish.

鈥淎t times he would just roll on his back and clean himself beside me.鈥�

Unable to catch a break (literally) and concerned the animal was 鈥渢rying to get frisky,鈥� Blenkiron decided to call it a day,.

鈥淸It was] hard to read as my otter whispering skills aren't that advanced,鈥� he said.

Capturing the interaction on camera was wildlife photographer Joyce MacKinnon, who was exploring Whiffin Spit with friends hoping to sight the sea otter reported to be in the area.

"When the little otter approached [Blenkiron], we all just stood on the shore and went 'Holy smokers' and watched the otter climb onto his board and look at the fellow," said MacKinnon.

According to MacKinnon, the animal climbed onto the surfboard several times, staying in the vicinity of Blenkiron for five minutes.

"I was just so amazed at how calm the surfer was," she said. "He totally was non-threatening, there was no panic in his movements, which makes all the difference to animals."

This is not the first time a board-riding sea otter has made waves in Sooke. 

In August 2024, a Sooke paddleboarder was surprised when a sea otter climbed onboard for a lift to shore.

According to Wild Wise, the Sooke-based wildlife education organization, climbing onto surf and paddleboards is not 鈥渢ypical behaviour鈥� for the marine mammal, so it is possible the two encounters could involve the same animal.

But Mollie Cameron, Wild Wise director, says she cannot be certain.

鈥淥ften times sea otters are quite timid of boats and people, and dive to safety,鈥� she said.

For Cameron, the Whiffin Spit sea otter is an encouraging sign for the animal listed as 'special concern' under the Species at Risk Act.

In the last several years, only a handful of sea otters have been observed 鈥渢his far east鈥� in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, she says.

The wildlife expert hopes the recent sightings of this otter and others, could be a sign the animal is returning to the area after the fur trade in the early 1900s decimated their presence along the B.C. coast.

While the tale of the curious Whiffin Spit sea otter has entertained and fascinated the community in online groups, Cameron urges against others seeking out their own interaction.

As while the Whiffin Spit creature appears to be choosing to approach humans, Cameron says it is important for the public to try and keep its distance from all wildlife.

鈥淣ot everyone has the same intentions with wildlife and avoiding things that may habituate animals is the best way to keep them safe,鈥� she said.

A sentiment echoed in August 2024 by Lara Sloan, communications advisor for Fisheries and Oceans Canada, after the sea otter took a trip on a Sooke paddleboard.

"When humans get too close to wildlife in their habitat, we risk disturbing and even harming them,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here are laws and guidelines about marine mammals to protect their well-being and yours."