Yesterday I had the day off and decided to go to the beach at horse shoe bay. I brought my snorkeling gear, because I really felt like exploring more of the beautiful under water life that the sea has to offer around this island. When I snorkel it feels like I arrive at a different world and I simply can not get enough of seeing all those beautiful fish and corals only meters off shore.

As I was about to walk towards the water I heard someone call out my name and when I turned around I saw my neighbour Lee with two kids. He introduced me to Dakota and Cordell. Turned out they are his sons. I didn’t know he had sons, I had figured that he was a single guy but apparently he is a divorced dad. His sons are 7 and 4 years old and are really nice kids.

I noticed that they were bad swimmers, or I should say they are non-swimmers; they can’t swim. Lee told me that the kids were with their mum during the week and that he talked to her many times about putting the kids into swim classes but that she refused. He tried to teach them, but he said he didn’t really knew what he was doing. He had been to the swimming pool to ask about swim classes in the weekend (when the kids are with him), but the swimming pool doesn’t have any classes then.

I felt sorry for the kids and Lee was clearly not happy about the situation. I told Lee I needed to make a phone call and that I would be right back. I rang Russell on my mobile to see if it is okay for me to teach them on Saturdays after opening hours. He had after all told me I could swim after hours as long as I took someone with me. I understand that swimming and teaching are two entirely different things so I wanted his permission. He remembered Lee coming up to the pool and fortunately he said it was okay.

So I told Lee the good news; I will give Dakota and Cordell private lessons after opening hours. Lee was over the moon and even gave me a hug. He told me he would pay me, but I said he didn’t have to as long as he wouldn’t tell other people about it. If the word gets around I will have more people coming up to me and that’s not what I want. Lee is my neighbour and I feel sorry for the kids. Next Saturday is their first private swimming lesson.