Griffin Colapinto, a seasoned professional surfer, recently had a surfing experience unlike any other when he shared a wave with a pod of dolphins at Jeffreys Bay in Eastern Cape, South Africa.
As he prepared for the Corona Cero Open, Colapinto found himself not only competing against the world’s best athletes but also riding waves alongside nature’s finest.
A ‘Magical’ Ride with Dolphins
Ahead of the competition, Colapinto was practicing at Jeffreys Bay when a pod of around 30 dolphins joined him on the wave. In a video shared by Red Bull Surfing, the dolphins can be seen gracefully diving through an overhead wave as Colapinto speeds down the face of the wave, carving through the water right alongside them. The incredible sight left Colapinto in awe, describing the moment as “as magical as it gets.”
Colapinto, 27, recalled that during the wave, he could see the dolphins coming straight toward him. With their intelligence in mind, he felt confident that they wouldn’t get in his way.
“I’m like, ‘These dolphins are so smart, they will know not to hit me,’” he said, and without hesitation, he decided to ride alongside them. “It was so fun to ride with them,” Colapinto added.
The Experience of a Lifetime
While the wave itself wasn’t “that great,” Colapinto embraced the experience and made sure to finish it with style. He even performed a long floater move on the wave’s whitewater lip, something he felt would be in tune with how the dolphins might ride the wave.
“I probably would’ve tried to do an air or something if the dolphins weren’t there, but I wanted to just relax on the wave with them,” he said.
The surfers in the area were treated to an unforgettable sight, with Colapinto noting that there were probably 30 to 40 dolphins visible in a single photo taken by photographer Pierre Tostee.
However, there were likely many more dolphins out of frame, and Colapinto revealed that hundreds of dolphins were in the water over the next few days, riding waves alongside surfers. “There were actually a bunch of other surfers that rode with the dolphins as well,” Colapinto added.
A Deeper Connection with the Ocean
Colapinto, who has surfed with dolphins before, shared that this experience was by far the most incredible. He explained that the dolphins were not shy of humans at all, coming right up to them and even swimming beneath them.
“It’s just like, ‘Whoa, we’re a part of something crazy here,'” he said. He now has a deeper appreciation for Jeffreys Bay and the ocean itself after sharing this magical moment with the dolphins.
The surfer also described how the experience felt like a sign — a good omen for his career. “I just think about that being special, a good omen almost,” Colapinto said, reflecting on the moment after watching the footage. “Yeah, it’s a good omen for me,” he added.
Looking Back on the Moment
Colapinto’s experience at Jeffreys Bay is a perfect example of how the bond between athletes and nature can create a moment of pure magic. It’s not every day that a surfer gets to ride a wave with such majestic creatures, making this experience one that Colapinto will surely remember for years to come.
As he continues to ride the waves around the world, this unforgettable moment with the dolphins will likely remain one of the most special of his career.
