About ASA

From the earliest age I loved being in water. If there wasn’t a pool to swim in I would fill a container with water and sit in it! (Like I said, a mermaid!) It’s in my blood, as is being of service. My family have a long history of helping others and I have continued that tradition.

My great-grandparents were part of the early Scouts in South Africa, having immigrated from Holland.

My siblings were involved in lifesaving and I am a qualified lifeguard. Being in water is as natural to me as breathing.

My mother swam the Midmar Mile several times, I joined her in 1999 at 7 years old, I attempted my first Midmar Mile, halfway through my mum saw that my lips were turning blue from the cold and had me taken out of the water (don't ask why their records aren't 100% correct as for 1999 Mom and I are marked as a male hahaha).. 

My first certificate for swimming was in 1997 for 3rd place in the 6 + under age group in the Bluff Amateur competition. Throughout my childhood and teens I continued to accumulate certificates for swimming competitions and trials.

I was also part of the Sea Scouts Association,  where I learnt additional valuable life skills and won numerous certificates. 

I successfully completed the Midmar Mile with my Mom in 2003, 2004,2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009. I also worked at a Midmar Mile as a lifeguard in 2008 & 2009. 

Life then took over and I missed not being able to swim again until 2012 and then again in 2018, 2019 and 2020, I also did capital K in 2018 & 2019 at Albert Falls Dam. 

Having 3 young children has this temporarily paused but its definitely something everyone should have on a bucket list. Its a lot more gentle on the body than the comrades marathon and the vibe at the dam is amazing.

Water is my second home and my passion is teaching others to swim and helping them overcome their fear of water. 

I experienced two near drownings myself when I was really young and was also involved in two rescues before i qualified as a lifeguard. 

At the Kings Park pool in Durban someone jumped in the shallow end on top of me and my Dad had to pull me out. 

The other when I was strapped to a knee board at Spioenkop Dam in KwaZulu Natal and tipped over and went under. 

The first rescue was in Grade 4 at our school swimming trials when I was 9. One of the other girls said she could swim, jumped in the deep end and immediately went under, I instinctively knew she was in trouble and jumped into rescue action. 

The other involved rescuing my Mom when I was 16 years old – (Mom is a really strong swimmer and the strength behind me following my passionate dream) - she got into difficulty in the ocean, stuck in a rip tide and tired, at the Ski Boat Club in Pennington.

Being a swimming coach in one way or another was a constant thread throughout my life. 

I went to university to study biokinetics but the timetable took me away from my beloved swimming so my journey to becoming a swim coach began. With many hours of training, studies and lessons, with blood sweat and tears, (the latter not so noticeable in the water)... Fast forward to 2021 and I started Aqua Heroes part time and in June 2023 decided to take the plunge (pardon the pun!) and went into the business full time. 

I have a natural aptitude for teaching children, encouraging them firmly but gently. I want to instil love and respect for the water in others because the reality is that the fact you can swim does not make you immune from drowning! I have been doing what I am passionate about and I love sharing the knowledge and skills of swimming with others,  Dipping my toes in clear blue water and guiding eager learners to overcome their fear of water brings me as much joy as my Children. This business is part of the dream I have to be part of the growing movement of swimming in South Africa,  I've been helping others for over a decade and look forward to the many to come.