Caught on cam: Kiteboarder strikes whale in San Francisco bay

A kiteboarder in San Francisco Bay struck a humpback whale on June 18, 2017, which he says was completely by accident, all of which was caught on video. 

A kiteboarder in San Francisco Bay struck a humpback whale, which he says was completely by accident, all of which was caught on video.

Andrei Grigoriev posted video of the encounter to his Facebook page. The whale seems to appear out of nowhere, reported the San Francisco Chronicle, sending Grigoriev and his kiteboard into the air. His face looks shock after the strike.

The collision happened on June 18 off Crissy Field Beach, according to Australia's 9News. Humpbacks have been repeatedly spotted in the area and hanging out underneath the Golden Gate Bridge over the past several weeks.

Mary Jane Schramm from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said that she has heard instances of kiteboarders purposedly jumping over whales, which violates federal law.

She said a good rule of thumb is to stay 100 yards away.