WHALE OF A GOOD TIME
He spends his days looking for whales off the coast so tourists can get a thrill seeing them – and says they’re an addictive mammal
NAME: Steven Evangelista AGE: 39 OCCUPATION: Professional whale watcher; Whales in Paradise
HOW DID YOU BECOME A WHALE WATCHER? It was just by chance, I was in the right place at the right time. I’d never even been whale watching before when I started. I was working with boats at the time and a mate of mine walked past and asked if I was looking for a new job. He was leaving for the Caribbean and needed someone to take his place on his brother’s whale-watching boat. I had an interview and got the job and seven years later I’m still here loving it.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST WHALE WATCHING EXPERIENCE LIKE? They put on a show for us actually. It’s a rare day that we don’t see whales out at sea. I’d never really thought one way or the other about whales before I went out on the boat, but as soon as I saw them up close I was won over. They really are aweinspiring.
WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE DAY AT WORK? When you have whales double breaching right off the bow, that’s pretty memorable. When you’re seeing them up so close and intimate, it’s really special. I find myself just watching them, trying to understand their intelligence. They have a mystical aura, you get a bit addicted to spending time with them.
WHAT’S THE SECRET TO SPOTTING A WHALE? Good eyesight is a great start. I generally look for the whale’s blow and the large splashes from when they jump. It’s not often that I see the whale itself but the traces of where they’ve been or where they are, then it’s just a matter of scanning the area for where they’ll surface.
AND PLACES OTHER THAN A SHIP WHERE YOU CAN GET A GOOD VIEW? Any high point on the Gold Coast is good when it’s whale season. Burleigh Hill is a great place with a pair of binoculars. My personal pick is the top of Q1. I often go up there before we set out to sea to check out where the whales are moving. That way I can give the skipper an idea of where to head and save some time searching. It’s close to our base too so I can get there and back quickly. Starting your day gazing at the ocean from the top of the Q1 is definitely a perk of the job. It’s my 10am happy hour.
WHAT’S THE NORMAL REACTION FROM PASSENGERS? It depends on the person, obviously. If you have low expectations of what you are going to see you’ll be blown away. I say that for 99 per cent of people the experience exceeds their expectations. The whales we have here are the most surface-active in the world. They’re the best species to watch … so many others don’t breach, there are no tricks or shows.
ANY DOWN SIDES TO THE JOB? I’m lucky that I don’t get seasick but on rougher days you can get passengers that feel it. It’s not so much difficult for me but it definitely is for them – I always feel bad for those few people.
DID THIS LINE OF WORK LEAD YOU TO BECOME A CONSERVATIONIST? Oh definitely. When you are near them so close every day you can’t help but fall in love with them. On the boat we do our bit to raise awareness and education about the protection of whales. There are still half a dozen whaling countries in the world and that is half a dozen too many. DO YOU EVER GET WHALED OUT? No. Actually, I often go down to the beach on my days off and find whales in my spare time. I go up to the Q1 and look out just to see if there’s any action.
Are you in an interesting job on the Gold Coast? Get in touch at coastweekend@news.com.au Be open to opportunities. You never know where life will lead you.