But you're right in that in theory it could have happened and like any essentially unfalsifiable theory it will likely remain that way.
It's funny because depending on which field we're looking at I probably have my own 'aquatic apes' based on how solid I think a particular theory is but without dedicating a lifetime to it I'll just take the easy way out and align with the largest body of scientists until there is hard proof to the contrary. But in some fields the theories are known to be broken and then such discussions get a lot more interesting.
aquatic animals (otters, beavers, could go on) have plenty of hair. Our lack of hair is function of avoiding parasites using our brain to protect our skin instead of fur armor.
All mammals have fat so I'm not going to get into that one.
All mamals have a swimming reflex, except even though most of them are not aquatic, their reflex actually works. humans that dont spend a long time to learn how to swim ... drown.
but there are features that are very much against us being aquatic: shellfish and fish allergies.