In 1990, several members of the gay men’s volleyball Club Moustache discussed that they would like to have a swimming group and so the Ottawa Rideau Speedeaus d’Ottawa swim club was formed. From the beginning the founder, Sandy Beeman, made the decision that the club would be an inclusive space for LGBTQ2+ people and their allies. The first “Swimmers in Heats” swim meet was held in 1993, attracting teams on the queer swimming circuit from the US and Canada during the 1990s and 2000s and was especially well-known for the post-swim dance parties. This foundation for a welcoming queer space has led to the evolution of the club as it exists today. The club was incorporated as a federal not-for-profit organization in 2023.
