The Swimming Saves Lives Foundation has awarded QUAC a $3,000 grant for 2017 to support and expand our program to teach adults to swim. QUAC is the only Masters swim program in Utah that is committed to teaching adults to swim from day one. It is a core principal of our team, and we know from 20 years of experience that it works. So this is a great opportunity for QUAC to partner with SSLF. QUAC is one of 37 swim organizations across the U.S. that received funds from SSLF for 2017. Watch for new swimmers in lane 1 in the coming year and say "hello and welcome to QUAC".
THE RUSSIANS HAVE COME (AND GONE)
In the last week of October, QUAC met with six visitors from Russia who were touring U.S. cities as part of a two-week exchange program highlighting the role of non-profit organizations in the U.S. They asked to meet with QUAC to learn about our experience as a successful LBGT sports organization. The tour was sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s GlobalConnect program. The group included Aleksandr Agapov, President of the Russian LGBTI Sport Federation and Olga Baranova Director of the Moscow’s newly-opened and first LGBTI Community Center. They joined us for a Thursday evening workout at the pool and then attended our Halloween party – that apparently was an eye opener (!!!) considering the group’s original low expectations about a positive LGBT climate in Utah.
Olga Baranova writes (with editing, as Olga says, “I speak English not good”): “Before my trip to the US I did not know anything about Salt Lake City. When I received our program, I looked up some information about the cities we were going to visit. I thought that Salt Lake City looked like a very boring city. When we arrived, and we had walked around, I saw what seemed to me to be a beautiful and very traditional place. And it confirmed what I had read about this city. The massive Mormon church and library create a certain impression.
“Then we met with different people and the impression of the city began to change. Every meeting gave new information about the city and its people. And the Halloween party completely dispelled the impression of a boring city!!! It was a pleasant surprise to learn that there are many gay people. Salt Lake City is a good example of how people change their lives around.
“Russia has a similar problem with the church, but change is not possible yet due to the homophobic government policy. At the state level there is a negative attitude toward non-profit organizations, to all who want to change something. People do not believe that it is possible to achieve change.”
This was a wonderful opportunity for QUAC to participate in another international cultural exchange and to connect with some courageous activists. We wish them well in their work and ongoing struggle for human rights in Russia. If you want to know more about that, in 2015 Politico Magazine published an in-depth article on the distressing and increasingly violent climate faced by the LGBT community in Russia.
COMPETITON NOTES
QUAC takes 2nd place!!! At the South Davis swim meet, November 5, QUAC took SECOND PLACE in the team competition behind the host South Davis Masters swim team and ahead of 8 other teams including the University of Utah and Utah State swim clubs! We took a team of 4 women and 8 men, and had some great swims for an amazing total of 21 first place finishes! And seconds, and thirds!
The Team: Kiersten Johnston, Ian Madsen, Josh Gross, Brian Rogers, Duncan Chalmers, Swen Nielsen, Ariel Hyams, Jeff Lewis, Josh Johnston, Jonathan Huck, Coach Sterling Furhman, Barb Nash and Sage Maaranen.
Final team standings: South Davis Masters (1,541), QUAC (707), University of Utah Club Swimming (673), Utah State University Swim Club (654), UC34 (462), Swim Utah (300), Salt Lake Masters (268), Salt Lake Open Water (112), SLC JCC (100) and Tooele Masters (80). Way to go QUAC! Just wait for Ski and Swim…
Thanks to Thad Applegate for his great photography
- see more on the QUAC Facebook page.
U. S. Masters Top 10. The 2016 short course yards season has concluded, and U. S. Masters Swimming reports that two QUAC swimmers had several Top 10 national times. Jason Markey placed 10th in the 50 back, 8th in the 100 back and 7th in the 100 fly. Barb Nash was 8th in the 50 breast and 10th in the 50 free. Congrats to you both for Top 10 times!
CALENDAR
Holiday Brunch – Sunday, December 11
Come join us for the QUAC Holiday Brunch! Bring something to share or just bring yourself! Come catch up with friends and fellow team members. 12:30 pm, 338 E Ramona Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84115.
Century Swim – January 1, Fairmont Pool, 11:00 am–2:00 pm.
New Year’s Day Resolution! This year the proceeds from the Century Swim will go to Race Swami. They are a non-profit swim organization from Salt Lake County’s west side that started in 2011 with 9 swimmers and are now up to 82! Race Swami is dedicated to “out-swim” poverty and to empower youth to be champions--in and out of the water for a lifetime. In addition to promoting swimming for kids, they offer a summer reading program, swim clinics, and character education classes that are coupled with swim lessons for youngsters from the Guadalupe School. They need everything from swim jackets and swimsuits to support for their Swami Enrichment Program which includes a a Summer Book Club for children at two west side Salt Lake City libraries and a "College Day at the U" for high school student to better understand what 'going to college' means.
It’s a great match for QUAC to team up with another of society's marginalized communities that shares the love of getting wet along with a strong commitment to social justice.
Race Swamis!
So set your resolve and swim to benefit this remarkable organization. Start the New Year right--with QUAC. We want to see everyone do 100 of something. One hundred lengths of the pool; one hundred laps; or one hundred 100's. It's up to you. Not only is this event a great way to get an early start on your New Year's swim goals, but it's a wonderful opportunity to raise funds for a great organization. If you can't participate, make a donation to this great cause.
Ski and Swim – February 24–26, 2017.
New this time – Polo on Friday at the Olympus Pool, followed by the Opening Social. The Swim Meet is Saturday the morning of the 25th. Later, put your wig hat on and start the evening with skating at the Gallivan ice rink downtown, followed by dinner and an after party. And Sunday hit the slopes at Snowbird or just hang out and recover in the roof-top hot tub at the Cliff Lodge spa. Get the details and register on the Ski and Swim web site.
World Out Games and IGLA Championships, Miami, May 26–29.
Although there was some concern from IGLA about the venue, that is now settled, and everyone is encouraged to get out and register early here.
MEMBERSHIP
It’s that time of year – annual dues. If you have the basic annual membership, it's time to renew. Watch for the email with the re-registration link! If you're an elite monthly member, just keep on swimming - it's taken care of. If you haven't been swimming in a while and want to start back, you can login on quacquac.org or email membership@quacquac.org for more info.
BOARD NOTES
The QUAC board met on November 6. Items on the agenda included the budget; Out Games/IGLA registration – now OK; Swimming Saves Lives grant and planning for implementation; coaching shortage – we are exploring options; Ski and Swim planning; review of problems with conduct of the South Davis swim meet; polo update – we are growing; Century Swim and selection of our beneficiary Race Swami; and an extended SWOT analysis and discussion as a prelude to strategic planning.
Board meetings are open to QUAC members, and everyone is welcome to attend. We will try to put the schedule on the QUAC calendar, but if you are interested in participating, ask or let a board member know. Members of the board are Jeff Lewis, Sterling Fuhriman, Aldo Littig, Katherine Thom, Kit Kobe, Barb Nash, Kevin McDaniels, Audra West, and Jake Adams.
DUCK DIGRESS – from your editor, Barb Nash
Some of you have remarked that I have been a little snarky about Ryan Lochte of late. Guilty. But there's no stopping. Those of you following closely know that in week 8 of Dancing with the Stars, Ryan and Cheryl were eliminated while performing to “Howlin’ for You” on Halloween night. Seriously. Even the Black Keys couldn’t save them from the bottom spot. Perhaps there is a silver (gold?) lining. Since he’s been suspended from the summer World Swimming Championships, maybe Ryan could use the time (and his most recent DWTS training) to gear up for yet another team sport – synchronized swimming, anyone?
But some really good news about water folk. U.S. Olympians Greg Louganis (diving), Janet Evans (swimming), and Allyson Felix (running – have you ever SEEN Allyson run? So fluid, so fast, so fine, mercy…) have been selected as the Grand Marshals for the upcoming 128th Rose Parade. Louganis is the only male and the second diver in Olympic history to sweep the diving events in consecutive Olympic Games. He is probably equally well known to QUACers as an LGBT advocate, coming out as gay and HIV-positive in 1995, and for his continuing support of LGBT issues for which he has received numerous awards and recognitions. Louganis will be the first-ever openly gay Grand Marshal. It’s about time Pasadena!!!
On a personal note, at one time Greg and I were very close, touching actually. But, alas, it was a brief affair. This, sadly, is the last time we were seen together in public.
Have a great Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
