Making a Splash: Chicago Smelts Dive Into File-Breaking Pride 2026

The Chicago Smelts is Chicago’s premiere LGBTQ+ U.S. Masters swim group, relationship again to its founding in 1988 – and the membership is now really greater than ever.

The Smelts encourage health, friendship, group and competitors by way of swimming and its membership is open to everybody, together with gay-friendly straight swimmers. 

The group has a roster of greater than 100 swimmers from the Chicagoland space – with athletes of all talents, from inexperienced persons to triathletes to former school superstars.

The Smelts in 2026 have an all-time excessive membership of 160-plus energetic swimmers, from college-aged members to senior residents with all kinds of gender identities.

“The Chicago Smelts have been a staple in Chicago’s queer community,” mentioned Andrew Farthing, the membership’s advertising and marketing/public relations chair – and their identify is a cheeky acronym of Sensitive Men et Lesbians Together Swimming.

“The Smelts are a competitive U.S. Masters Swim Team (and) one of the most historically significant LGBTQ+ athletic organizations in Chicago, not just as a swim team, but as a social, political and community-building force.”

The Smelts compete in lots of U.S. Masters Swim meets throughout the Chicagoland space, together with the Illinois Master Swimming Association state meet, which was in Westmont this 12 months. The Smelts additionally compete in International Gay & Lesbian Aquatics competitions all year long. Their final IGLA+ competitors was final 12 months in Washington, D.C.

The Smelts are actually prepping for this summer time’s Gay Games in Spain – with about 40 swimmers travelling overseas to compete.

“The Chicago Smelts are not just a swim club, but an active, competitive swim team, competing in worldwide swim competitions every year,” Farthing mentioned.

In addition, “the Smelts are a big part of the queer sport culture here in Chicago, so being part of the Chicago Pride Parade is critical to spreading awareness and supporting our community.”

Farthing is worked up for Pride Month and mentioned the group is able to make “lots of splashes and fun” on Sunday, June 28, when the Chicago Pride Parade steps off.

“We are in the planning stages, but plan to see lots of speedos, good music and interaction with the crowd,” from the Smelts on the Chicago Pride Parade, Farthing mentioned. “Our theme is, ‘Aquatic Realness.’”

At final 12 months’s Chicago Pride Parade, the Smelts had one of many largest Smelts group ever for the June custom. “With temperatures over 95 degrees, in true Smelts fashion, we ended the parade by a group swim in Lake Michigan to cool off and celebrate,” he mentioned.