NJ Lifeguard Has Close Encounter With Humpback Whale

Brian Shea, a lifeguard in Long Branch, had an incredible encounter with a humpback whale over Memorial Day Weekend.

He was out paddling around the ocean when a whale breached the surface just feet away from his board!

NBC talked to Brian about the experience:

Why do things like this never happen when I'm at the beach? Admittedly I don't go to the beach often so my window of opportunity is small, but just once I'd love to be around when a whale (or a whole pod of them) cruise along the shore.