face-to-face with old big blue, a rare occurrence for even the most faithful whale watchers. >> you try and look at conditions before you go out. so many factors need to come together when you're on your kayak, because the whale needs to be approaching you. that's a long shot. so, it seems like a million to one shot, but you kind of make your own luck. so, i had my fins on, my mask around my neck and gopro camera. >> rick gets the shot he wants, but according to the national marine fisheries service, vessels should get no closer than 100 yards to the whales, nor should they interrupt a whale's swim patterns. >> don't feel like we're altering their behavior at all. they seemed to totally accept all of the paddleboaters and kayakers in the area as part of their environment. so, yeah, the whale's the most important thing. >> whoo-hoo! >> after celebrating with exuberance, rick posts his video online, but immediately afterward, he's informed by someone at the national oceanic and atmosphere administration that his once-in-a-lifetime experience will remain exactly