HISTORY
As much as we can gather, Minnesota Ice Swim Club has been in existence for over 25 years. We started out competing as the “Minnesota Rainbow Trout” and made our first international appearance at the New York City Gay Games in 1994. Shortly after, in 1998, the name was officially changed to “Minnesota Ice” at IGLA in Amsterdam.
In the 2000’s until 2018, Minnesota Ice largely consisted of 1-2 members. In late 2018, two queer swimmers in Minneapolis sought to re-establish Minnesota Ice to once again have Minnesota join the ranks of other well-known cities that boast an all-inclusive, LGBTQ+ swim team. The team officially re-launched March 6th, 2019 and calls the Phillips Community Center pool its “home”.
ABOUT US
Minnesota Ice (MN Ice for short) was re-established in late 2018 as a club swim team for local LGBTQ+ swimmers to train and compete together. Minnesota Ice both a play-on-words of the popular phrase “Minnesota nice”, as well as our standing as one of the most wintry and cold places in the continental United States - “ice”.
As a member, you're part of a long legacy of LGBTQ+ swimmers that knew the importance of creating a safe, inclusive space in aquatics. MN Ice recognizes that various cultural oppressions have systemically prevented or excluded individuals from equitable access to aquatics. While this has affected members of the queer community, there is a disproportionate impact experienced (to name a few) by black people, indigenous people, people of color, trans and non-binary people. MN Ice is committed to using the privileges we carry to create equitable access to swimming for those that choose our club as their home. As such, MN Ice strives to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for guests, visitors, and members. We believe in a collaborative approach, where knowledge-sharing and skill-building are encouraged. We’re committed to growth, and will always seek opportunities for feedback.
IN THE NEWS
“It’s All Queer in the Pool” - Lavender Magazine 6/20/2019
“Making a Splash” - Lavender Magazine 7/14/2022
PAST APPEARANCES
1994 Gay Games New York as the Minnesota Rainbow Trout
1995 IGLA Montreal
1996 IGLA Washington DC
1997 IGLA San Diego
1998 Amsterdam Gay Games as Minnesota Ice
1999 IGLA Atlanta
2000 - 2018 IGLA’s/Gay Games - The team consisted of 1-2 members, competing under the banner of Minnesota Ice
2001 IGLA Toronto - Minnesota Ice takes 1st place in the Small Team Division!
Chris Andersen, Tom Senn, Brian Jacobson, Stephen Nelson, Jeffrey Stanton, Delina Brassard, and Lindsey Kopp
IGLA 2003 San Francisco, posing with the IGLA 2001 Toronto Small Teams Division Champions Trophy!
2019 IGLA New York City - The re-established Minnesota Ice makes it’s first international debut, placing 27th overall!
2020 IGLA Melbourne - Minnesota Ice takes 1st place in the Small Team Division (13th overall)!
Brian Jacobson, Mark Larson, Lindsey Kopp, Luke Paquin
IGLA 2020 Melbourne Small Teams Division Champions
2021 IGLA Salt Lake City - CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19
2022 IGLA Palm Springs - Minnesota Ice takes 2nd place in the Medium Team Division (8th overall)!
2022 Gay Games Hong Kong - TBD
2023 IGLA London - Minnesota Ice takes 2nd place in the Medium Team Division (7th overall)!
2024 IGLA Buenos Aires - TBD
2025 IGLA Washington DC - TBD
2026 Gay Games Valencia - TBD