Every day, across the UK and around the world, Turtle Tots teachers dive into the pool, sharing their passion for swimming with over 14,000 babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. We know that what we do saves lives, nurtures essential developmental skills, and builds confidence in the water. But it’s the heart warming stories from our families – how Turtle Tots has made a real difference in their little ones’ lives – that truly fuel our passion. These moments are a reminder of why we embarked on this 12-year journey to build one of the UK’s leading baby swim schools.

Today, we’d like to share one mum’s story whose fear fuelled her mission to make a difference in her own child’s experience in water…

“As a child, I had a terrifying near-drowning experience. It instilled in me a deep-seated fear of water, a fear I carried for many years. It was a fear I desperately didn’t want my own children to inherit. I made a promise to myself: when I became a parent, I would make sure my kids were comfortable in the water from the get-go.

That promise became a reality in 2016 when my son, Oscar, started his swimming journey with Turtle Tots Southampton. Every Sunday, we’d head to the pool, and Oscar would light up with excitement. He absolutely loved his lessons. Week after week, his confidence blossomed. His favourite parts? Jumping into his dad’s arms in the pool and belting out the “Hello” song with all the other little swimmers.

I remember one session vividly. Hannah, his instructor, was teaching the children how to dive into the pool from the side. Oscar, bless him, took to it like a duck to water (pun intended!). He was fearless and absolutely loved the feeling of plunging into the pool. I can still picture his beaming face. Hannah even joked to my husband and me, “Oscar’s going to be the next Tom Daley!” We laughed, but secretly, a little spark of hope ignited.

Fast forward to today, and that little spark has grown into a full-fledged flame. Oscar is now a proud member of the Southampton Diving Team! He’s been training twice a week since 2023, dedicating himself to the sport he loves. He’s got his sights set high, dreaming of becoming a professional diver. Remember Hannah’s playful prediction from six years ago? Well, maybe, just maybe, she was onto something. Seeing his passion and dedication, I can’t help but wonder if Oscar will indeed follow in Tom Daley’s footsteps. From a child who was simply learning to be comfortable in the water, he’s now soaring through the air, a testament to his hard work and the power of early water confidence. It’s a journey that makes this mama’s heart swell with pride.”

From his first splash with Turtle Tots to the dizzy heights of the diving board, Oscar’s journey has been an inspiration. Hannah, the Southampton team, and everyone at Turtle Tots UK are immensely proud and send him all our love and best wishes as he pursues his diving dreams.

If you have a splishy-splashy success story that you’d like to share with our community, get in touch with liz.ruffles@turtletots.com.