Michael makes a splash with his new swim aid
APRODUCT designer has created a new swimming aid after being inspired by his experiences with his daughter and late father.
Michael Thomas, 44, who lives in Heaton Mersey, created the new float, which is called the Mani, after being inspired by two real life events.
One was teaching his daughter Evelyn, now aged four, to swim. The other was being taught to swim as a child himself by his father, Bob, who sadly passed away three years ago.
Michael decided to design the new aid when he realised that swimming floats had hardly evolved in his lifetime.
The device can be used to take a child through the various stages of learning to swim, can be used in many different ways and is designed so parents can become easily involved in the learning process.
It is made from an innovative material called expanded polypropylene, which is normally used in the automotive and industrial markets rather than for leisure products. It is highly durable and won’t break down and pollute the water system, but is still completely recyclable.
Michael, the managing director of product design and development company PDu, said: “Swimming has played a big part in my life, offering many freedoms. Learning to swim with my father is one of my earliest and most cherished memories.”
Michael has been working closely with Ann Burgess, the aquatic development manager at LiveWire in Warrington, which has been testing his prototypes and the first production units.
He added: “They have been using this product as their prime piece of teaching apparatus for months now with great results. It has been used in the children’s and adults’ programmes as well as in the disability groups, including by blind adults who are learning to swim. This shows the true versatility of the product.”
Michael has also been ‘market testing’ the floats with Evelyn and his son Rohan, two, at Cheadle Life Leisure.
He has chosen to manufacture the product in the UK, rather than going abroad.
He added: “For me this is about showcasing UK design and manufacturing in supporting children to learn a fundamental life skill.”
Michael plans to donate ten per cent of his profits to charities supporting child welfare and the environment.