My First Ever Official Races....

Last Sunday I got to race officially for the first time at our Club Championships. As I am still only 8 I could only enter the 25m races but I was really excited to be properly timed in a real competition. When we got there, the club records for each race had been published in the programme and I could see what the existing records were for my first two races - 25m breaststroke and 25m butterfly. Simone and my coaches always say that you should race against your time not the person next to you, so I decided that as I didn't have a time yet, I was going to race against the record times...And guess what...

I beat them both!!!!

For 25m breaststroke the old record was 29.22 - my time was 24.46 

For 25m butterfly the old record was 31.16 - my time was 23.20

My next races are on the 7 December - when I will be dong 25m front crawl, 25m back stroke and 100m Individual Medley.....I will let you know how I get on.

Love Oliver 

In the News...

Hi Everyone
Here's the links to some of the stories about me winning Young Swimmer of the Year
http://www.frometimes.co.uk/?p=2682
http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Oliver-wins-award-prowess-pool/story-17179431-detail/story.html
and if you want to see the write up in the British Swimming web site it's here....
http://www.swimming.org/asa/news/swimming/the-kelloggs-asa-swimtastic-awards-continue-the-olympic-glow/15339/
Had a great swim tonight - got to time my freestyle and breast stroke. In the pool again 7.30 am tomorrow for more training with Finlay.
See you all soon
Love Oliver

THE BEST WEEKEND EVER!

On Saturday I won the Kellogg's ASA 2012 Swimtastic Young Swimmer of the Year Award - I spent the weekend up in Sheffield at a special award event and got to meet lots of my swimming heroes.

Me with the lovely Hannah Miley who presented my trophy

It was a long drive to Sheffield and we had to leave really early in the morning - but it was worth it. On Saturday afternoon I had a 'Swim with the Stars' session and I got to play water polo, do swimming races and have fun with Olympic and Paralympic Athletes. Daddy even had to to some synchronised swimming - he wasn't very good! Mummy has it on video!

After the swim I got my picture taken with lot of the athletes - here's me with Ellie Simmonds - she let Finlay and I wear her Olympic Gold Medals.

I also met the paralympic world record holder and gold medallist Josef Craig (he let me wear his medal too) he told me all about what it was like to race at the Olympics and how he prepared for his record breaking swim. He's 15 - the same age that I will be when the 2020 Olympics are on. He was really nice.

After the swimming we got to meet all the athletes -  there were lots there from swimming, diving, synchronised swimming and water polo -like Kerri Anne Payne, David Carry, Nick Robinson Baker, Jazz Carlin and James Goddard to name a few. I've got a full autograph book now! They were all so friendly and told me lots of things about what it's like to be an athlete.

Then it was time to get changed for the awards dinner. I had a new shirt, tie and waistcoat to wear. When we arrived everyone looked really smart and I even got to hold a real Olympic Torch which one of the other finalists had brought along.

Then we were called into the ceremony - the whole room was dark with twinkling lights on the walls and ceiling. I had my name on table number 2 and there were lots of goodies on the table too - badges and a cuddly elephant called Trunks. We had the Olympic diver Monique Gladding on our table and her coach - they were both really nice and told us lots of stories about the Olympics and what it's like to be a diver. I was really nervous when the awards were being announced as the other finalists had done really well too. I couldn't believe it when Steve Parry called out my name. There was a spot light on me all the way as I walked up to the massive stage - it was a long way. Hannah Miley presented me with my award - it was amazing!

After getting the award I had to go and do lots of TV and radio interviews and have my picture taken. I stayed up until 11 o clock. My interviews were on the BBC and ITV news on Sunday and Monday - lots of people saw it. My Headmistress and Teacher were so surprised that they told me they were screaming at the TV when I came on. Lots people also heard me and mummy on BBC Radio Somerset yesterday - if you missed it you can listen again on line - here's the link (it's about 24 minutes in) http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00zd0tz\

There's lots more things going on this week and I will let you know how I get on. I hope to get a recording of the TV interviews - if I do I will let you know.

What a great week. Love Oliver

One More Sleep....

There's only one more sleep to go until the 2012 Swimtastic Awards - I am so excited.  Finlay and I  have both got a new shirt, tie and waistcoat to wear to the awards dinner - they look really cool.  I wonder which famous swimmers I will get to swim with?

Here's the link to the British Swimming Page that tells you about me and the other two finalists in the Young Swimmer of the Year Category, I wonder if the others are feeling excited about tomorrow too? http://www.swimming.org/asa/news/swimming/the-kelloggs-asa-swimtastic-awards-2012-countdown-thursday2/15280/

I was in the paper again this week, they ran a story about me being a finalist - you can see the story here  http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Boy-7-meet-stars-swimming-Channel/story-17111791-detail/story.html

So please keep your fingers doubly crossed for me tomorrow I will let you know how I get on, or if you like you can listen to mummy and me talking about it all on BBC Radio Somerset at 6.55am! on Monday morning (Mummy says to let you know that you can listen to this live on line if you want to!)

More soon, Love Oliver

AND NOW FOR THE NATIONAL NEWS....

Hello Everyone
I've had a really exciting week following the Heart of Somerset Awards. I've had so many people sending their congratulations - thank you everyone. I was in the paper this week too, the story is on line here and if you use the scroll bar on the pictures you can see the one of me and my award plus the group one with Valerie Singleton. http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Heroes-heart-Somerset-honoured/story-17033923-detail/story.html 
Just when we thought it couldn't get better..... I had a surprise letter.... it said that I am a finalist for the ASA Swimtastic Young Swimmer of the Year award. This is a National award, Simone and Mummy say it's a big deal, it means I'm in the top three in the country. And Mummy, Daddy, Finlay and I get to go for a special weekend in Sheffield for the event. First I get a big fun swim with lots of Olympic and Paralympic Swimmers and then in the evening we have to dress up very smart and go to a big dinner to see which of the finalists will be the winner. There will be another film about me swimming for everyone to see. It's so exciting, I can't quite believe it. I have to go and buy something new to wear. It's only 2 weeks away on 20 October, I can't wait.
I will let you know how I get on and in the meantime I will keep swimming my best.
Lots of Love Oliver

I WON TODAY!

Hi Everyone
It's been a really exciting today - I won the Outstanding Young Person Award in the Heart of Somerset Awards 2012. I went with Mummy and Daddy to a special awards ceremony at Wookey Hole Caves. There were loads of really great people who had done brave and inspiring things. I was really surprised to win my category, I didn't think I would.
They played the video of me swimming and I was really pleased that my swimming looked really cool with the underwater camera. I got to take home two framed certificates and also won £100! Everyone knew who I was today, it was like being famous.
I met Valerie Singleton too, she was doing all the talking on stage. Daddy said she was like Helen Skelton on Blue Peter when he was little. She was very friendly.
Well done to everyone who was at the awards today, I really enjoyed hearing all the stories about the kind and brave things people in Somerset had done.
I really need Daddy to put me up a special trophy shelf now!!
Love Oliver

I'm a Finalist in the Heart of Somerset Awards

Hello Everyone
We had a great surprise this week - I found out that I'm a finalist in the "Outstanding Young Person' category of the Heart of Somerset Awards run by the Mid Somerset series of papers. On Wednesday, a film company is coming to interview me and to video me swimming. They are making a film about me to play at the award ceremony which is being held on 26 September at Wookey Hole. They are going to talk to me and mummy and Simone my swimming teacher. Mummy has told me not to ride my bike fast as I keep falling off on the gravel and making grazes on my tummy which could show up on the video and my front tooth is loose - I'm not allowed to wiggle it until after Wednesday too!
I also had a great time last week when Finlay and I went for our first training session with Frome Swimming Club - we swam for the whole 2 hour session! Finlay was really tired but I though it was really good fun. We got to dive off the starting blocks and everything. We're going again tomorrow, I can't wait. I will let you know how we get on and how the filming goes - keep your fingers crossed!
Lots of love Oliver

ASPIRE CHANNEL SWIM NOMINATE MY BLOG FOR AN AWARD

We were really excited today to hear that Aspire has nominated this blog for the 2012 Reader's Choice Swimming Blog Awards. If you have enjoyed it you will have your chance to vote in February. I will let you know when voting opens. Love Oliver

I've been voted Young Person of the Year

Happy New Year Everyone! I had a huge surprise today when I got home from spending a lovely Christmas with my cousins in Canada - I have been voted Young Person of the Year by the Somerset Standard for my swim and there's a big picture of me in the paper. If you're not in the area - here's the link so you can read the story. http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Young-Person-Year-Oliver-Saunders/story-14270108-detail/story.html

Here's the picture of me and my trophy

Watch My final Lengths Here

Hello everyone... here is a video of my last lenghts (it's a bit wobbly, mummy was quite excited!)

I'm on the front page of the paper today

Hello everyone
I thought you'd like to know that I am on the cover of the Somerset Standard today and there's a big story on me finishing my swim on p5. If you can't get a copy you can also read the story on the This is Somerset Website http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Oliver-6-sets-new-record-channel-swim-challenge/story-14010172-detail/story.html
Pretty cool!

Listen to me on the Radio

Hi Everyone
Here's the link to my spot on the BBC Somerset Breakfast Show on Saturday - listen from 32 minutes in - I'm on the news and then there's an interview with me and Mummy after - it's on line for the next 5 days..... http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00lqvy3

I Finished My Swim -Got my Record and my 1st Trophy - IT WAS GREAT!

I AM OFFICIALLY THE YOUNGEST BOY EVER TO HAVE COMPLETED THE ASPIRE CHANNEL SWIM
I finished my swim today and loads of my friends came to cheer me home. They had made banners and placards with my name on and they all stood and cheered on the side of the pool as I did my last 20 lengths - it was AMAZING! 
I got a big surprise when I got out of the pool there was a huge trophy with ribbons on it which Mummy & Daddy got for me. Simone, my swimming teacher, gave it to me. The man from the Somerset Standard took lots and lots of photos. I also got a medal from Daddy.
It's been a really, really busy day - It started with being on the radio this morning on BBC Somerset Breakfast Show - I will put up the 'listen again' link tomorrow so you can hear it if you like. I was even on the News!
Then I had football (1-1 today) and then it was time for my swim. It's been great, I did my best swimming and tumble turns.
I am so pleased that I've raised over £1100 so far - that's already beaten my target.
Thank you everyone for your messages and support. Love Oliver

I'm at 75% of My Fund Raising Target

I got £150 added to my fundraising target of £1000 today - THANK YOU ALL - that means I've raised £750 so far for people with spinal injuries. Wouldn't it be great if I could get to £1000 when I finish my swim. 
Tune into BBC Radio Somerset at 7.35 am in the morning - I'm on air talking about finishing my swim. Love Oliver

On the radio again tomorrow and Saturday

Hello - Just a quick note to let you know that Mummy is on BBC Radio Somerset tomorrow between 11-12 to talk about me finishing my swim on Saturday. As I'm at school then, I'm going to be on their Breakfast Show on Saturday morning at around 7.35am -- you can listen on line if you like.  We're going to have another go on Friday morning to try and get on Chris Evans at around 7.25 for a fanfare - I'll try not to be so shy this time and then I might get picked. Fingers crossed.

Only One Swim to Go - I Will Finish on Saturday

I had my second to last swim tonight - 43 lengths done - leaving me 20 to do at my big finale on Saturday. I am really excited that all my friends are coming to cheer me home  - I can't believe I've nearly done it - I've loved doing my Channel Swim, I will miss adding up my lengths on my blog too.
If you've not sponsored me yet and you can spare a few pounds I'd be really grateful - I'd love to reach my target of £1000 to help people with really bad backs.
Thanks for all your support - Love Oliver

Only 2 swims to France & Great Racing in Squad Today

Hello Everyone - I had a really great time at swimming squad today - Finlay came too for the first time and did really well. We got to do races which were really good fun - I love racing. We did lots of underwater work  - we had to do whole widths underwater, then get out take a breath, dive in straight away and do another width underwater - we did this 6 times - I was really puffed. 
This is the last week of my swim -  only 2 swims left to my finish!

Got to hold one of those BIG cheques today...

Hello - The Salisbury Journal came to my football today to take a photo of me getting the £100 cheque for the money that  Little Kickers raised for me with Odd Socks day - it was like one of the huge cheques they have on Children in Need - it was nearly bigger than me - I was very proud. Daddy said thank you to everyone. I'm hoping I'll be in the Salisbury Journal this week, fingers crossed.
It's been a really busy today, Finlay had a exam in Swindon so we didn't get to the pool. But I'm still on track - more lengths on Monday. Love Oliver

Just 86 lengths left.....

I did get a little swim in today before the fun swim at school - I did 450 metres in 15 minutes. That means I've only got 86 lengths to go - I can't believe it!! I've really enjoyed doing this challenge and I think I will miss it when I've finished. It's made me a much better swimmer - I do tumble turns all the time now and I couldn't do them very well when I started. Mummy is very busy organising stuff for my finish I think I may be on the radio again next week. I'll let you know. Love Oliver