Paddle boarder hangs out with 'super friendly' whale on the NSW South Coast

A stand-up paddle boarder has had an intimate close encounter with a whale on the NSW South Coast.

Todd Mingramm, a former professional surfer and the owner of the Cronulla Standup Paddleboard School, was on a trip in Bendalong, near Ulladulla, on Friday when he found himself hanging out with a laid-back whale.

“I was down there teaching and we were in the middle of a class when the fin came up right near me. It was huge,” Mr Mingramm told 9news.com.au.

“I had no idea what it was. Suddenly, the whale spurted high in the air.

“My friend was paddling next to me, so we just started paddling with it.”

Filming the encounter, Mr Mingramm is shown paddling about five metres from the spirited whale.

“The most amazing part of it all was when we stopped paddling and it rolled over onto its back,” he said.

“It was super friendly and just wanted a pat!”

Whales head north to warmer waters from mid-May to July for breeding and to give birth.

In August and September, adult and juvenile whales begin returning south towards the Antarctic, while calves and their mothers make the journey south in October and November.

Mr Mingramm, who has been surfing since he was an eight-year-old, has had his fair share of ocean sightings, but never one quite like this.

“I’ve seen dolphins, sharks and turtles, but this was definitely the most crazy one for sure,” he said.

“That’s why we do this – for those unexpected moments.”