A Livingston man has been awarded for creating a new teaching aid that will help children to learn to swim easier.
Michael Harkins (24), who is currently the head teacher at the Dolphins Swim School in Livingston, has developed the buoyancy vest to remove the anxiety and build confidence among children learning to swim.
The Turtle Pack is a vest twinned with an EVA shell at the back and as the child’s confidence and coordination improves in the water, the buoyancy can be easily reduced by removing segments of the shell.
The child’s arms are free so they can swim with no restrictions and provides the correct horizontal body position.
For his innovation Michael was awarded ‘Young Innovator of the Year’ in April of this year. He said: “It is a great achievement to be awarded Young Innovator of the year at the Made in Scotland Awards.
“I was delighted to have won and I would like to congratulate all the finalists for their amazing efforts.
“I am very passionate about my sport and I want to use Turtle Pack to encourage more children to learn to swim whilst having a blast”
