DAVID SAUNDERS

David Saunders moved to Lloydminster with his parents and older brother in 1962.  A twin brother and sister soon arrived, followed by two more brothers.

When the swimming started in 1968, little did David think then that it would be part of his life for the next thirty years, or longer.  Competitive swimming requires a tremendous amount of time every morning throughout the summer months.  Swim meets were held on the weekends. At the beginning of Dave's swimming career he experienced success in the individual events which gave him the drive to compete at the provincial level.  As time went on he saw many coaches and parents pass through the system.  Each year David made new friends and saw others drop out of the sport.

Eventually the Saunders family had five members competing at the same meets.  Dave quotes, "My mother and father ended up spending the next twenty years living in the pools of Alberta.  Their dedication to their kids and sport enabled the Saunders family to compete at a high level for many years".

In 1981 the family was devastated by the death of Neil Saunders; Dave and his brother Neil had been very close, and competed together for many years.  The Saunders family arranged to have a trophy presented at the provincial meets, in recognition of Neil, to the most outstanding male swimmer.  Dave thought it important to carry on the family name and to be at these meets to present this award. This trophy became a focal point for male open swimmers for the next ten years.

In 1989 Dave married Kathy and moved to Edmonton where he continued to swim with the Aquanauts and was given a lifetime membership in 1990.  After the birth of their daughter Ashley, Dave was motivated to continue swimming until Ashley was ready to compete. With his thirtieth year approaching, father and daughter will both be competing in the summer swim program.

David competed on countless Provincial Relay Teams and set many, many provincial records.  He has won countless individual events at the provincial level, and has lost count of ribbons and trophies.  Dave's philosophy has been to place in the top ten swimmers of the province each year in each of the individual events (Fly, Breaststroke, and Freestyle). Relays have always been a strong part of his program as well. Doing this at a provincial level for thirty years in a row has become a personal quest of Dave's.  At thirty nine years of age he feels fortunate to still have the stamina to compete against seventeen-year olds.  Each year he is greeted the same way "You're back again!!!".

Dave is presently teaching at Harry Collinge High School in Hinton, Alberta.