Alan’s amazing recovery puts him back in the water

DAD-to-be Alan Reinhardt, from Ballinteer, has embarked on a new career teaching babies how to swim just a year after a severe accident almost cost him a limb.

Alan, a local sports enthusiast and assistant manager of an under 15’s football team, was unable to walk for several months after he broke his knee in three places during a game which left him hospitalised and at risk of losing his lower limb.

The incident forced Alan to make some tough decisions and to re-evaluate his chosen career path.

“The threat of losing my lower leg was a big turning point for me career-wise and I wanted to do something really worthwhile for the local community,

? he explained.

He has now launched the first Turtle Tots baby swimming classes in the region, after purchasing a licence from the award-winning preschool swim programme.

He says he is on a mission to get preschool children and their parents excited about the benefits of baby swimming.

“I’ve always loved swimming and have been able to swim from just six months of age. I swam as a hobby in clubs until I was 12-years-old so to turn that passion into a career that can make a real difference to a child’s early years’ development seemed like a natural path,

? he added.

“Swimming is great for a child’s physical and emotional development,

? says Alan.

“I will be bringing a high quality, inclusive baby swim programme to the Dublin region which is not only fun but offers an important life-saving skill too.

?

Alan, who has now recovered from his injury, and his wife Paula are expecting their first baby in the next few weeks, and he has every intention of introducing his newborn to the pool as soon as he can.

Paula wasn’t such a fan of the water but she took lessons and had learned to swim in time for the couple’s honeymoon six months before Alan’s injury.

“My wife really enjoys swimming now, so much so, that she is also going to be training as a teacher for the Turtle Tots classes,

? he said.

Turtle Tots Dublin swim sessions will be available at a variety of locations across Dublin including Ballsbridge (at Energie Fitness) and at Terenure College.

Alan plans to expand the classes throughout other parts of Ireland in the future.

Caroline Sparks, Commercial Director of Turtle Tots Ltd, said Alan was an inspiration.

“He turned a negative into a positive in terms of his injury,

? she said.

“He’s about to become a father himself and his natural passion for swimming and his boundless energy working with children will ensure he has great success with his new classes.

?

Alan will also be donating a percentage of his business revenue to his chosen charity Bubblegum Clubhttp://bubblegumclub.weebly.com/ which arranges extraordinary outings for extraordinary children.