4 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE June 29, 2012 •

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Swimmers get wins and views in Iceland

by Todd Urban

Reykjavik, Iceland-The members of the Cleveland Aquatic Team got a glimpse of what it was like to visit the moon on the drive from the airport into the city of Reykjavik. The 40-minute ride was through a volcanic rock field on the world's youngest volcanic island, as big as Kentucky. There were no trees anywhere and only a house or two set in the middle of a patch of green where the ground had been scraped clean for grass to grow. In the distance were mountain ridges, some covered with snow in contrast to the all-brown landscape.

These were the first impressions greeting the Cleveland Aquatic Team's swimmers, who traveled to Iceland to compete in the International Gay and Lesbian Aquatic Championships.

The meet was held over the May 30June 2 weekend in the most northern city ever, with its 60-degree temperatures in contrast to the Hawaiian host city last year. The sun hardly sets at this time of year, so it was bright enough to read without a light all through the night.

Cleveland Aquatic Team coordinator Todd Urban won two seconds and a third in 200, 100 and 50 meter backstroke events, respectively. Julio Aponte swam five events and scored a first, three seconds and a third in his age group. For the first time ever, the meet included swimming, water polo, diving and synchronized swimming competitions.

The weekend was topped off with what is called the "Pink Flamingo" relay, a fun event when teams can produce an aquatics performance to music. This year's winner was Team New York Aquatics, which sent a team big enough to also win the overall swimming competition.

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The trip also included optional tours of Iceland, where competitors and guests were exposed to the natural landscape that includes huge waterfalls, natural geysers, and thermal springs. The most popular was a visit to the "Blue Lagoon," a bus trip to the volcanic fields where people could bask in the waters of the warm springs while sipping cocktails and listening to the latest music. The entire complex was reserved solely for the competitors in IGLA.

The people of Reykjavik were extremely friendly and accommodating. They are very sophisticated and virtually everyone spoke English, which made getting around easier.

Columbus had its own representation by swimmer Julie Applegate, current co-chair of the GLISA, who sponsors the Outgames. The next Outgames is scheduled to be held in 2013 in Antwerp, Belgium and Cleveland Aquatic Team swimmers are already making their plans to attend.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Cleveland Aquatic Team, which is open to swimmers of all ages and abilities, male and female, should contact Todd Urban at Toddrurban@aol.com.

Todd Urban is the coordinator of the Cleveland Aquatic Team.

From left, Karen Hoyland of Toronto, Julio Aponte, Katie Hanson (Karen's partner) and Todd Urban.

obituaries

John G. Cleckner

Akron-John G. Cleckner passed away May 28, 2012 of cancer. He was 46 years old.

John was one of the finest individuals. He was a best friend who cared for everyone, never turned away from a soul who needed help, no matter if it was emotional, physical, financial or all of the above. He will be dearly missed.

He is survived by his partner, Nicholas Wallick, and many loving family and friends.

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