Dolphins Are Playful, Aren’t They?

I noticed a pod of dolphins traveling just outside the San Onofre break this morning.  They seemed in a playful mode, with tail kicks and circling.  I was to the north with a great view as three dolphins started surfing a wave.  By my estimates, they would go to the south about 40 feet away.  Then one of the dolphins broke away, running down the wave crest.  Towards me!  Panicking, I start paddling to get past the wave before the H-U-G-E dolphin T-boned me.  Double up on the panic when I realized I will not be out of the way, that a dolphin was bearing down on me a max speed.  Six feet away from me, the dolphin ducked underneath me with a tail kick while I let out a girlish scream.

After I composed myself, all I could think of is that the dolphin was off laughing with his friends, saying he freaked out another surfer.