They are big, grey and splash about in the water. No, we’re not talking about the Fishguard WI swimming club, but humpback whales have been seen off the coast of Fishguard.
I spoke to the only person to brave the ocean and track them down; Geraint Pillock, Geraint, why are you doing this?
“Mainly because it’s a challenge, a challenge for me, it’s a challenge for the coracle and again it’s a personal challenge”
It’s one thing to paddle your coracle down the river Teifi, but isn’t it a little bit dangerous out in the high sea getting close to a 44-ton humpback whale?
“Thing is it could be very dangerous. On the other hand, it could be all right.”
In your quest as a modern-day Captain Ahab in Cardigan Bay, just how long do you expect to be out at sea in your coracle?
“Anything from between twelve and fifty hours.”
Twelve and fifty hours? Very Impressive, and I assume that you anticipate seeing these humpback whales in that time?
“Very optimistic, I will do it, but you’re talking about a long time but I will do it. I hope to do it the first time.”
I assume this has never been done before and that is the reason why you are doing this?
“Mainly because it’s a challenge, a challenge for me, it’s a challenge for the coracle, and because it has been done before”
Thank you Geraint Pillock… willing to take on any challenge mainly because it’s a challenge
From 22nd January, 2024
