The Chicago Smelts is Chicago’s premiere LGBTQ+ U.S. Masters swim team, dating back to its founding in 1988 – and the club is now truly bigger than ever.

The Smelts encourage fitness, friendship, community and competition through swimming and its membership is open to everyone, including gay-friendly straight swimmers. 

The team has a roster of more than 100 swimmers from the Chicagoland area – with athletes of all abilities, from beginners to triathletes to former college superstars.

The Smelts in 2026 have an all-time high membership of 160-plus active swimmers, from college-aged members to senior citizens with a wide variety of gender identities.

“The Chicago Smelts have been a staple in Chicago’s queer community,” said Andrew Farthing, the club’s marketing/public relations chair – and their name 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 many U.S. Masters Swim meets across the Chicagoland area, including the Illinois Master Swimming Association state meet, which was in Westmont this year. The Smelts also compete in International Gay & Lesbian Aquatics competitions throughout the year. Their last IGLA+ competition was last year in Washington, D.C.

The Smelts are now prepping for this summer’s Gay Games in Spain – with about 40 swimmers travelling abroad 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 said.

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 excited for Pride Month and said the team is ready 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 at the Chicago Pride Parade, Farthing said. “Our theme is, ‘Aquatic Realness.’”

At last year’s Chicago Pride Parade, the Smelts had one of the largest Smelts group ever for the June tradition. “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 said.