Man jumps into shark-infested water to 'surf' whale

A man diced with death when he jumped into shark-infested waters to "surf" a dead whale.

The 26-year-old, known as Harrison, was in a boat with friends near the rotting carcass of a humpback whale off Australia's western coast.

"In the heat of the moment," Harrison launched himself off the motor boat and scrambled on top of the deceased whale.

"One of my mates said it would be pretty funny if you surfed the whale so I just did it," Harrison explained to a TV crew afterwards.

Meanwhile several sharks can be seen circling the whale in the water, including a Great White.

"He was too busy chomping on the whale," Harrison said, although he admits he is grateful to be alive.

Australia's Seven News network reports that because the whale was dead and Harrison did not remove any part of it, he will face no charges or fine.

But his parents were less than impressed. "Mum thinks I'm an idiot, dad's not too proud either," he said.