About Us
Mission
Different Strokes Calgary (DSC) is a non-profit, volunteer swim club inclusive of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and their friends. DSC is dedicated to the master swim program philosophy of "fun and fitness for life" in an environment that is both positive and supportive. To this end, DSC attempts to provide a recreational, competitive and socially active atmosphere in which members may, at their option, participate. (Also see our bylaws.)
Club History
The first Calgary swim club catering to the lesbian, gay, and bisexual communities was originated by David Whiteside in early 1993, under the name of Chinook City Aquatics. Inadequate interest at that time resulted in cancellation of the program six months later.
A reincarnation of this original idea, Different Strokes Calgary was co-founded by Dan MacGregor and James Cooke. Dan, with the help of James, pulled together a group of swimmers for a meeting to determine if there was enough interest to make this project work. As a result of that meeting, it was decided to form a gay, lesbian, and bisexual swim club, swimming once a week at an appropriate location for a three month trial period.
The club's first swim workout was held March 5, 1995 at the Lindsay Park Sports Centre. Coaching staff consisted of Dan MacGregor, Head Coach, assisted by Nancy Ingram, Beginners Coach, and Rick Matthews, Competitive Coach. Thirteen swimmers showed up on the first day and participation has steadily increased.
In 1997, DSC averaged approximately 20 swimmers per practice, and now has a full membership of 60+ swimmers!
DSC is a member of International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics (IGLA), a governing body for swimming, diving, water polo and synchronized swimming. Plans continue for membership in Swim Alberta and CASA. To date, club members have attended the Orca Swim Meets in Seattle (July 1995, February 1996, July 1996, and July 1997) and IGLA Meets in Montréal (October 1995), Washington (October 1996), and San Diego (October 1997), and Atlanta (May 1999) as well as local Masters meets as they arise.
Every four years the Gay Games features a five day swimming competition with participants from all around the world. Our past participation in these games were in Sydney, 2002, Chicago and Montréal in 2006.
Early in September 1995, the club moved training facilities to the YWCA and increased the swim times to Wednesdays and Sundays. After a year of excellent growth in the club, our coach resigned to take up other activities, and Rita Bercan was hired as Head Coach, along with our Assistant Coach, Graham Taylor. Dan MacGregor and Pat Lee Loy continued to share coaching responsibilities for beginner swimmers. After another two wonderful years with the team, Rita Bercan left to persue other activities, allowing Graham Taylor to take over the duties of Head Coach. Since that time, Pat Lee Loy has moved on to New Jersey and now swims with the Philadelphia Fins. Dan MacGregor now spends his time coaching the beginner swimmers and sometimes can be seen in a swimsuit!
In 2007 DSC moved Sunday practices to SAIT while Wednesdays remained the the YWCA. In September 2007 the team moved all practices to SAIT and began swimming three times a week.
The club has established a reputation as quite social with a number of fun events over the past year. There have been several parties, potluck dinners and pool parties. DSC also helps raise funds in the community. Our past participation included a swim-a-thon in the fight against Breast Cancer, helping out with Small Change Big Changes and the AIDS fundraiser fashion show, Calgary Cares.