Nimrod Machani has been working as a coast lifeguard in Tel Aviv for four years. His father Shimshon, was a seaman for years and between voyages, also worked as a Tel Aviv lifeguard.Two years ago Shimshon moved to Koh Samui, Thailand where he opened a surfboat business for tourists. At the end of the summer season in Israel, Nimrod visited his father in Thailand to help him in setting up the new enterprise.
Last week the two team went out on their daily rowing course. Shimshon explained, "The weather here is tropical. Things can change in a second. And indeed, on the way back, the weather changed all at once. The winds got stronger and the waves grew tall."
Then, they noticed two swimmers who were crying out for help. Shimshon said, "Their kayak had overturned in the storm and was swept away, they were left alone in the water. They didn't have much of a chance."
The two lifeguards rowed towards the struggling men. Nimrod noted, "When we reached them they were already at the point of exhaustion. We loaded them on to the surf boat and kept rowing towards the shore, a kilometer away."
The two battled against the weather with the swimmers on board for 45 minutes. Shimshon recalled, "When they came around and started talking among themselves I noticed they were speaking in Persian. I was born in Iran and speak the language. I told them in Persian: 'Don't be scared, you're in good hands."
When they reached the shore the two, who introduced themselves as Mundar and Ali, hugged, kissed and thanked their rescuers. Nimrod said, "When we told them we're Israelis they just got up and fled."