A group of triathletes got a surprise West Coast experience in the ocean off Vancouver.
On June 14, the was underway for the men’s event when
The men's event includes a two-kilometre swim, an 80-kilometre bike ride and a 19-kilometre run. During the last section on the run, the orcas made their appearance.
Two commentators for the event can be heard saying, "Wow, look at those images of those orcas."
Anthony Scammell, the communications director for the event, said the orcas were swimming parallel to where the finish arch was.
“That is just stunning, isn't it?” one commentator said. “The wildlife we have around here, I feel like we are in a nature documentary.”
She goes on to say the race was being held on the traditional lands of the Musqueam Indian Band, Squamish Nation, and Tsleil-Waututh Nation.
Another commentator said the whales were basically on the swim course.
“I don’t think anyone was expecting orcas that close to the course.”
Video captured during the event shows at least two orcas gliding through the water by a yellow swim marker.
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim called the event "world-class."
"The race conditions this year were perfect. You have the backdrop of the city. We even had some orcas in the water,” said Sim. "What a place to have an event and we love people from outside of the city to come to Vancouver and see what we get to see every day."
The commentators joked that next year they might have to consider an orca contingency plan.
The video has been viewed 135,000 times on social media, with one person commenting "new swimming fear unlocked."
