Australian youth apologises for ‘surfing’ dead humpback whale

An Australian who climbed onto a dead whale as it floated offshore, attracting the attention of large sharks, apologised yesterday for his "idiot" act.

The man dived off a boat and climbed on the humpback, which appeared to have already been ravaged by sharks, south of Perth in Western Australia on Saturday.

"[I was] out on the boat with the boys and one of my mates said it would be pretty funny if you go out surf the whale, so I did it," the 26-year-old, who wanted to be known only by his first name of Harrison, told Channel 7.

After hauling himself onto the floating carcass, Harrison could see it was being circled by sharks, as his friends realised the danger and called for him to come back.

"They were too busy chomping on the whale so it wasn't too bad," he said of the sharks which included a great white.

But he said he would definitely not perform such a stunt again, admitting he could have lost his life.

"I've done it, I don't need to do it again. Definitely it was a stupid act, didn't mean to disrespect anyone," he said.