I WRITE to you at an exciting time for us, as we call for nominations for our annual ASA/Kellogg's Swimtastic Awards, which celebrate the extraordinary achievements of ordinary people in the pool.

Swimming is the country's most popular leisure pursuit and although 12 million people across the UK swim regularly, still one in five adults and one in three children under 11 are unable to swim.

Since 1997, the ASA has worked in partnership with cereal manufacturer Kellogg's to promote the benefits of swimming. During that time 11 million Kellogg's ASA Awards have been presented to swimmers of all abilities.

In 2006, we announced an expansion of our partnership by committing to a new three-year agreement that saw Kellogg's make a £3m commitment to sponsoring the ASA from grass roots to gold medals and together we expect to get 140,000 people back into swimming.

We ask now for the support of the people in Southampton, by encouraging them to think of friends and family who they believe should be recognised for their personal achievements in the pool. The Swimtastic Awards are not about elite swimmers, they celebrate the accomplishments of swimmers of all ages and abilities.

Closing date for entries is Friday, July 27, 2007, and a judging panel that includes representatives from the Department for Children, Schools, and Families; Sport England, the Youth Sport Trust; the ASA; and Kellogg's will decide on winners, who will be announced at an awards ceremony in October. Nominate today at www.swimming.org Bruce Learner, ASA chief executive.