From South Africa to Southport!

Saris was born in South Africa in 1986, her mum (Bev) was born and bred in Southport and moved out to Durban due to work commitments.

It’s here they met Bob, who would go on to be a lifelong family friend. Bob taught Saris to swim in the shark infested shores off the south east coast of Africa……and Saris fondly recalls racing to the “shark nets” and back.

Bob was a pro lifeguard for 13 years as well as working as a sports co-ordinateor at the prestigious Wild Coast Sun resort.

Due to family reasons Saris, Bev and sister Chelsea relocated to Southport in 1999, Bob relocated 5 months later to start his own food catering business in Cambridge with his wife Jan.

Saris went on to have success in the leisure and child care industry while Bob ran his successful catering business for 20 years.

In 2018 on a regular weekend visit up to Southport to visit Saris her husband Danny and two kids Sofia (5) and Logan (4) Bob was helping Saris train for the great north swim which she does annually in the Lake District (her lifelong goal is to swim the English Channel) 

This brought back fond memories & they talked about the good old swimming days and how it was always their dream to open a swim school.

Saris was working as a swimming teacher at the time and jokingly said why not move up to Southport and let’s make the dream a reality.

Bob sold his business and fast forward 12 months …..Southport Aquatic Academy was born.

We are a fully family run business with Saris & Bob as directors & teaching the lessons. Jan (Bobs wife) is the swim school secretary & a level one swimming assistant teacher, Danny (Saris Husband) taking control of marketing and advertising, as well as working towards his level one qualification. Kat (Bob & Jans Niece) who lives is California USA is our website/graphic designer.