A seal of approval! Amazing moment curious seal nicknamed 'Gavin' climbs onto a paddle board as family make their way down river in West Sussex
- Darren Ford and Kerrie Rocket encountered 'Gavin' while out on the River Arun
- The curious seal swam up to the group and climbed aboard Kerrie's board
- Daren, 52, says Gavin has been spotted in the river near Littlehampton before
Paddle boarders filmed the amazing moment a curious seal nicknamed 'Gavin' climbed aboard for a ride down river in West Sussex.
Daren Ford,52 and Kerrie Rocket, 50 were paddling along the River Arun near Littlehampton in West Sussex
A curious seal - who is known locally as Gavin - swam up to the group and climbed up onto Kerrie's board.
'Gavin' the seal popped out from under the waters of the River Arun near Littlehampton to say hello to a group of paddle boarders
Seemingly tired of swimming, Gavin decided to hitchhike on the back of a paddle board
Daren from Hayling Island in Hampshire was able to get the incredible encounter on film.
The roofing company manager said: 'This happened when we were five miles or so up the river Arun which is where I think Gavin the seal has been spotted before.
'This was our first visit to this area and only my third time on a board we checked the tide times and we're going upstream initial the tide turns and then ride back on the opposite tide.
'We dropped our boards in from the pontoon and had been paddling for an hour or so the sun was shining and we were chatting away oblivious that we were being followed by a seal.
Kerrie Rocket, 50, was the first to receive a visit, but he soon started climbing aboard elsewhere
Daren Ford, from Hampshire, said Gavin emerged from the water without them offering any food or encouragement
The seal was hopping from one board to another, hitching on rides on passing paddlers near Littlehampton
Some paddle boarders didn't mind giving Gavin a lift, but others were a little more nervous with their backseat passenger
'To our amazement the seal just started going from one board to another jumping on and relaxing!
'We had no food out we never encouraged him in anyway and kept our distance as far as possible.
'At first we were really worried that the seal was in trouble or maybe aggressive but soon realised he was being curious and was in good health.
'It was an amazing experience but it never really sank in until we got home and realised how rare this actually happens.'
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