Seal pup joins Sunderland couple on kayak ride at Roker

It happened on Tuesday, September 15 when Denise Walter was out kayaking in Roker harbour on a wildlife tour with Adventure Sunderland.

The tour group had seen a pod of dolphins jumping in and out of the water and, after coming back into the harbour, she got the surprise of her life when a seal pup decided to climb aboard her kayak.

The Echo spoke to Denise and her husband Adam, who are both retired, about how they got into kayaking and the “unique” experience.

Denise said: “We became interesting in kayaking when we did it with our sons in Norway last year so when we found out about the wildlife tour at Adventure Sunderland, we keen to get involved.

"As we went across the harbour, a pod of dolphins were jumping in and out of the water, it was a great sight and then we continued out of the harbour.

"Just as we were returning, I suddenly felt a tap at the back of my kayak so I turned round to see a seal pup climbing on.”

Denise’s husband, 66-year-old Adam added: “It was such a unique experience as seals tend to be shy and stay away from people.

"The weather was lovely and hot and the sea was just so calm, nothing like I’ve seen before which I think added to be the experience.”

Mike, the centre manager from Adventure Sunderland, captured the stunning images of the seal pup and checked it over to make sure that it didn’t appear injured.

Once it was decided that it was not injured, the group attempted to return it back to the water, something which the pup seemed to “enjoy”.

Denise commented: “Mike checked it over to ensure that it wasn’t hurt and when we realised that it wasn’t, we started to rock the kayak to encourage it back into the sea.

"Well it seemed to really enjoy it, before trying to swap kayaks from mine to Mike’s. It was such a wonderful experience for me and I think the little pup enjoyed the ride.”

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