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THE SURF OF THEIR L-IVES

The incredible moment a pod of dolphins leap from behind surfers in Cornwall

Surfers were given a masterclass in riding the waves by the energetic dolphins

THIS is the moment a pod of dolphins stunned onlookers - after they were seen leaping from waves behind surfers.

Surprised photographer Karen O'Dell caught the playful creatures joining in the fun on camera at Porthmeor Beach at St Ives in Cornwall at the weekend.

 One surfer gets a surprise as they stand on their board and four dolphins catch the wave too
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One surfer gets a surprise as they stand on their board and four dolphins catch the wave tooCredit: SWNS - Bristol +44 (0)1179066550
 Dolphins are often known for playing about in the sea but this pod were very close to the Cornish coast
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Dolphins are often known for playing about in the sea but this pod were very close to the Cornish coastCredit: SWNS - Bristol +44 (0)1179066550
 The group effortlessly jumped and spun through the air over the top of waves
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The group effortlessly jumped and spun through the air over the top of wavesCredit: SWNS - Bristol +44 (0)1179066550

The mother-of-three said she had never seen anything quite like it as the dolphins, which looked like common dolphins, jumped from the sea over the crest of waves as surfers made the most of the good conditions on Saturday.

"I was at the beach with my three children, a friend and her child," the 38-year-old said. "Our children surf but it was really high tide.

"My children were in their wetsuits playing in the sea when we saw the dolphins.

"At first we just saw them flipping out, then they came really close - they were playing with the surfers and jumping in the waves.

"I would say there were between five and ten of them. It was spectacular to watch."

Karen, from St Ives in Cornwall, added: "The pictures I got were good but it does not recapture the feeling of seeing them amongst the waves - it was just amazing.

"I've never seen dolphins that close before."

 Conditions were good for surfing and the dolphins clearly thought so too as they played in the water
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Conditions were good for surfing and the dolphins clearly thought so too as they played in the waterCredit: SWNS - Bristol +44 (0)1179066550
 The Cornish beach is a favourite of surfers but over the weekend the rough tides meant the waves were reserved for experts, and dolphins, only
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The Cornish beach is a favourite of surfers but over the weekend the rough tides meant the waves were reserved for experts, and dolphins, onlyCredit: Getty Images
 A fin breaking through the surface of the water could cause panic...
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A fin breaking through the surface of the water could cause panic...Credit: SWNS - Bristol +44 (0)1179066550
 But surfers who get to ride with dolphins say it is an experience they remember for life
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But surfers who get to ride with dolphins say it is an experience they remember for lifeCredit: SWNS - Bristol +44 (0)1179066550

Karen's three children - Harvey, 11, Oakley, six, and Elsie, three - didn't get too close to the dolphins due to the rough tide but the surfers were enjoying the animals' company.

"One of the pictures shows a dolphin right behind a surfer," the full-time photographer added. "They were having a great time."


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