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|  | Feature
 Queer Sports
Spring–Summer 2005
Queer Utah Aquatic Club
John Funk credits Queer Utah Aquatic Club, Utah’s premier queer swimming organization, for helping him conquer his biggest demon: the water.
“I had a horrible swimming experience as a child. I had gotten thrown into a pool, had to be resuscitated, the ambulance, the whole thing. Since, I’ve been pretty afraid of the water,” he says. For a milestone birthday last year, John decided it was time to overcome his fear; his then-partner convinced him to try QUAC. “It was really scary the first few times,” he says. “The first time I tried diving, I went to get up on the edge of the pool, but it was too much. I went outside and threw up.”
But practice after practice, John says he’s gained more skill, more confidence, and more trust in his own ability in the water. He’s now able to swim several strokes, even though he says the breaststroke hasn’t quite clicked yet.
As one of Utah’s largest sports-based GLBT organizations, John’s story is just one of many at QUAC. Head coach and founder Doug Fadel prides QUAC on being open to swimmers of all abilities, from beginners to serious competitors. The point is simple, he says, to get better than where you’re at. “And we’re actively recruiting new members. The only requirement is that you like to have fun,” he says.
Started by Fadel and eight others in 1995, the group has grown each year to over a hundred active members on its current rosters. Eight coaches help lead technique practices three nights a week and polo practice on Sundays, and they’re adding another polo practice soon. The group is active at local competitions and is a member of International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics (IGLA) to which they travel each year to compete, as well as to other national competitions. But while competitions may be the highlight for some, many find the group to be a most inviting organization that fosters friendly socializing while helping its members improve their aquatic talent.
Some members even find talents they never knew they had.
After years of playing volleyball, Barbara Nash decided to take up swimming as a sport that wasn’t so hard on her knees. The thought of doing laps alone in a “cement box filled with water” didn’t appeal to her, so she checked into QUAC knowing Fadel through another organization. “I didn’t think I would like it,” she says.
After just a few months, she realized her swimming ability had been sleeping under the surface. “I have never swam competitively in my life ... but I went to my first meet and was surprised to find how fast I am.”
Nash went on to break two state records in the 50- and 100-yard breaststroke, and Fadel says her times rank some of the highest in the nation. She credits much of finding her ability to QUAC. “If I had just gone to the U of U alone and got in the pool, I would have done about 6 laps and said, ‘This sucks.’”
As one of the group’s transgender members, Nash reflects what many say about the group’s welcoming atmosphere. Many members say it’s a positive social setting to meet other people—a setting that isn’t easily available elsewhere. Fadel says the common goal of improving your skill helps foster that environment. “When you join a group and you’re doing the same thing, you have that in common. It’s easier to go up and talk to someone about the technique you’re working on, so much easier than going up and having to start a conversation with someone you don’t know cold,” he says.
Many members credit much of the group’s success to Fadel himself, joining QUAC because they knew Fadel from other organizations; both Funk and Nash knew him from his work at The Center.
Between organizing several practices a week, travel schedules for competitions, pool reservations, events to support local fundraisers, and more, many would find leadership of the group daunting, but not Fadel. And he does it all as a volunteer. “Paid?!” he says. “If I got paid I wouldn’t care as much!”
For practice times, location and other information about QUAC go to www.quacquac.org.
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| Queer Sports
Spring-Summer 2005
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