family
“ When you have your own child, you suddenly understand that every parent sitting beside the pool has placed their greatest treasure in your hands,” says Devan. That realisation changed everything.
Why water safety is important
For years, water safety has been at the heart of their business. In a country surrounded by pools, dams, rivers and beaches, they believe learning to swim is not just an activity, but an essential life skill.
Today, that message feels more personal than ever.“ Owning a swim school taught us about water safety,” explains Devan.“ Raising Aria taught us why it matters.” The change wasn’ t in the way they taught swimming. It was in the way they understood parents. Every nervous glance from the viewing area. Every question after a lesson. Every proud smile when a child swims independently for the first time. They had seen those moments thousands of times before. Now they were living them.
“ When you have your own child, you suddenly understand that every parent sitting beside the pool has placed their greatest treasure in your hands.”
Confidence starts with belief
Away from the pool, Devan leads The ICHAF Training Institute, a national education and corporate training provider. With his background in psychology, he helps organisations develop their people.
Interestingly, becoming a father has made those professional lessons feel even more relevant.
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“ Children don’ t become confident because someone tells them to be,” he says.“ They become confident because someone believes in them first.” It is a philosophy that shapes both his work and his parenting.
With his BCom degree, Quentin oversees the financial and operational side of Sandown Swim School. Together, their complementary strengths make for a partnership that works both at home and in business.
Life on the move
The family splits their time between Johannesburg and Fresnaye in Cape Town, balancing business and family life. At just two, Aria has already made around 25 return trips between the cities and travelled internationally with her dads to India, Turkey, Singapore, Indonesia and Namibia.
“ People often ask whether travelling with a toddler is difficult,” Quentin laughs.“ Of course it is, sometimes.
But watching the world through her eyes makes every trip worth it.” Airports become adventures. Hotel rooms become playgrounds. Ordinary moments become lifelong memories.
A different kind of success
Perhaps parenthood has taught them that success looks different now. Once it meant growing a business; today, it is little footsteps, Aria’ s laughter in the pool and watching her confidence grow. As Sandown Swim School celebrates a decade, Devan and Quentin are grateful for every family who has trusted them, and for the little girl who reminds them why their work matters. Their message to every parent is simple: teach your child to love, respect and swim in the water.
While swimming lessons build confidence, they also build something far more valuable – skills that could one day save a life.
They hope that years from now, when Aria finds this magazine, she smiles, because long before she learnt to swim, she taught her dads what truly matters. �
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