Dolphins often crash the surfing lineup. Sharks occasionally show up where surfers wait for waves. Whales even. But deer?
The accompanying footage, captured by Ryan Thompson, shows a mule deer swimming near surfers at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, Ca.
Orange County Outdoors, which shared the footage and noted the rarity, dispelled notions that AI manipulation was involved:
"This is not AI, we don’t post that crap on here."
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Doheny State Beach is a famous surfing destination just south of Dana Point Harbor.
There’s a freeway nearby and expensive homes line the hills south of the harbor, along with sparse corridors utilized by wildlife.
It could be that the deer was frightened
into the water, or was simply enjoying a break from a heat wave caused by high pressure.
In the footage, surfers seem unfazed by the deer's presence. But folks on the beach are surprised.
A kid’s voice is heard at the outset: "There’s a deer in the water!"
The Orange County Outdoors description begins: "Ever had a deer snake your wave?"
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Deer crashes lineup at famous Southern California surfing spot
