A thrilling encounter unfolded recently for Jerry McArthur, as he unexpectedly found himself surrounded by over 100 Pacific white-sided dolphins during a ride on his innovative watercraft, the Hydroflyer, in Howe Sound, British Columbia.
The exciting day took place on February 24, 2025, when McArthur, along with his friend Sheldon, decided to venture out on the water to film for his company. Initially aiming for vibrant waves due to predicted storm conditions, the duo faced disappointment as the water turned out surprisingly flat.
"We were pretty disappointed and we thought, 'Hey, we'll just go out in the water anyways,'" McArthur shared, demonstrating his spirit of adventure. The Hydroflyer, which McArthur invented, is an impressive fusion of technology, blending elements of a jet ski and electric foil surfboard. With its 7.5-horsepower motor and submerged wing, the Hydroflyer can rise more than three feet above the water, achieving speeds of up to 50 km/h.
Upon gliding out, McArthur noticed something unusual moving beneath the surface. "I didn't want to get too close to them, so we steered away from them to kind of give them a wide berth, but they're curious, so they came over to check us out," he explained. What started as mere curiosity quickly unfolded as McArthur encountered dozens of dolphins swimming beneath the Hydroflyer.
"The next thing I know is just dolphins everywhere," he recounted, filled with amazement as the dolphins interacted playfully. Using his 360-degree camera mounted on a pole off the front of the Hydroflyer, McArthur captured this unique moment from above, providing him with incredible views of the large pod swimming beneath his feet.
"When I looked down, all I could see was dolphins underneath me," he recalled, visibly thrilled by the spectacle. "It was really wild because they were actually turning upside down underneath me so they could stare up at me." Their playful curiosity continued for about 20 minutes as they swam alongside him, igniting wonder and excitement.
McArthur expressed his awe at the unexpected encounter, stating, "I was just like 'holy crap' the whole time. I was just blown away." Finding such joyful and curious creatures interacting with his craft was exhilarating, marking it as one of his most memorable moments on the water.
To offer professional insight on this rare gathering, marine zoologist Anna Hall from Vancouver Island remarked, "That looks like a pretty big group. Big groups are more common in the Strait of Georgia, north of Nanaimo." She noted the dolphins’ known behavior of bow-riding, which makes them fast and social swimmers. Describing it as "a bit of an unusual sighting for Howe Sound," Hall emphasized the delight and rarity of such encounters, highlighting the dolphins’ curious nature toward boats.
Reflecting on the current state of marine wildlife, McArthur mentioned the positive trend. "Now, we seem to see killer whales and porpoises and stuff quite often, so it's cool they've come back," he stated. It is no small feat to observe these playful dolphins returning to waters they seem to frequent less often, demonstrating the resilience of wildlife along B.C.’s coast.
This astonishing display of nature serves not only as entertainment but also as a reminder of the enchanting wildlife present around British Columbia's coastal waters. It also brings to the forefront the importance of protecting and respecting these marine environments to maintain the delicate balance between human activities and wildlife preservation.
McArthur and his adventurous encounter have left local wildlife enthusiasts buzzing with excitement. Encounters like his remind all of us of the beautiful and often unpredictable experiences mother nature can surprise us with when we head out onto her vast waters. This extraordinary day for McArthur was a clear illustration of how thrilling and unexpectedly delightful nature can be, especially when exploring the aquatic wonders of Howe Sound.