HISTORY
Minnesota Ice Swim Club 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 late 2008’s, members of the team swim on Saturdays at the Uptown YWCA on Saturday mornings, often having breakfast together following practice at A&J Gem Cafe. After, practices moved to the Downtown YMCA. Largely during this period, the team name was only used annually for participation at the International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics Championships (and every four years for the Gay Games) as no “formal” team was ever established. In late 2018, two queer swimmers in Minneapolis sought to re-establish Minnesota Ice in a formal capacity 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 on March 6th, 2019.
For a more in-depth look into Minnesota Ice history, visit our HISTORY PROJECT webpage (forthcoming).
(above: members of the very first “Minnesota Ice” swim team at IGLA 1998 in Amsterdam.)
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 is both a play-on-words of the cultural stereotype of “Minnesota nice”, as well as a nod to our state’s famously cold and wintry climate.
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.
Organization
Minnesota Ice Swim Club is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit organization managed by a Board of Directors. The official domain of Minnesota Ice Swim Club is mniceswimclub.com. Charity ID: 84-2855473.
For donations, please visit our GiveMN organization page HERE.
Please visit our Policies page for MN Ice’s Participant and Liability Waiver, Bylaws, and Policies and Procedures.
IN THE NEWS
PAST APPEARANCES
1994 Gay Games IV New York as the Minnesota Rainbow Trout
“Team Minnesota” t-shirt for the Gay Games in NYC (1994)
1995 IGLA Montreal
1996 IGLA Washington DC
1997 IGLA San Diego
1998 Gay Games V Amsterdam as Minnesota Ice
1999 IGLA Atlanta
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!
2011 IGLA Honolulu - Minnesota takes 6th place in the Small Team Division (16th overall)!
2013 IGLA Seattle - Minnesota takes 6th place in the Small Team Division (14th overall)!
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)!
2023 IGLA London - Minnesota Ice takes 2nd place in the Medium Team Division (7th overall)!
2024 IGLA+ Buenos Aires - Minnesota Ice takes 5th place in the Medium Team Division (13th overall)!
2025 IGLA+ Washington DC - Minnesota Ice takes 7th place in the Small Team Division (16th overall)!
2026 Gay Games XII Valencia - Minnesota Ice takes 25th out of 182 teams!
2027 IGLA+ Montreal
2028 IGLA+ Berlin
2029 TBD
2030 Gay Games XIII Perth