A Devon sailor was reportedly "ambushed" by a bunch of playful dolphins during his recent trip along the then calm and serene waters of South West England. Together with his partner Julia Hurley and their pet dog Milly, the group was delighted by an unexpected dolphin show on the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 25.

David Rote is a 70-year-old sailor, who had just celebrated his birthday during the early part of September and his group went on a trip to Babbacombe in Torquay earlier that day. When they were about to return to their home in Starcross, a pod of about 30 dolphins showed up and flocked around Rote's yacht, which measures about 300 feet.

The dolphins then started what seemed like a premiere tricks and exhibition show to the delight of the astonished party. "In 25 years of sailing I've never seen anything like it," Rote said. "It was a fantastic sight."

According to Rote, the dolphins practically ambushed them. The marine entertainers did their thing for more than an hour, with one even doing a barrel roll. He added that the experience was amazing - the kind that he shall never forget. Even Milly was said to have jumped around in excitement.

As the condition of the waters was then very serene, Rote had to pump up the motor to sail across. The surroundings were so quiet and the wind was practically absent. According to Rote, the group must have had 5 knots on the way home when the playful dolphins came near their yacht.

As per surveys, dolphin populations have been at risk in Westcountry water bodies. However, a number of dolphins and whale sightings have already been noted off the Westcountry coast this year, making 2015 an exception to the suggested survey results.

About two decades ago, Sea Watch reported that the dolphins were hardly seen along the Devon and Cornwall harbors. Now, these creatures are practically very typical. The said sightings have all been documented in the Sea Watch national survey, which said that during a one-week period in August 2015 and early part of September 2015, about 600 sightings of 11 other animals were observed.

Kathy James, a sightings officer, said that UK residents can be ecstatic that the nearby waters are filled with marine wildlife. She added that going on trips to the shore to look for dolphins and whales is absolutely among the most satisfying wildlife adventures that can be experienced anywhere in the world.

Photo: Alessandro Caproni | Flickr