Philippe Lacasse swims for the Vert et Or, pushing his limits with every stroke

Philippe Lacasse swims more than just laps. The Université de Sherbrooke mechanical engineering student wholly embodies the endurance sport’s discipline, resilience and passion, both in the pool and on open water. 

At 22 years old, Lacasse is in his second season with the Vert & Or. A long-distance specialist, he spends most of his time training with the Sherbrooke Vert & Or. Before making his way up the university rankings, he cut his teeth with Club de natation de Quebec and with his childhood team in Rimouski. 

“What I like about swimming is that it’s a sport where you can’t place the blame on anyone else. It’s you against yourself. You improve not only as an athlete, but as a person,” he says. 

Lacasse juggles a packed schedule between his studies and his training. The key to success, he says, is to take it one day at a time. 

“If you look at everything all at once, it can seem insurmountable. But take it one exam at a time, one practice at a time, and you come to realize that you can do it all.”

The engineering coop program at Sherbrooke, which combines in-course learning with internship opportunities, has allowed him to gain professional experience while pursuing his career as an athlete.

As a swimmer, Lacasse excels in the pool as much as in open water – a taxing specialty, both physically and mentally. He has found success in events like the 1,500 m, but his preference still lies with long distance. 

The most memorable for him: the Traversée internationale in Lac Saint-Jean, a 32-kilometre race known for its difficulty and glacial waters. 

“The first time, I was able to finish, but last summer I was forced to withdraw. I was too hypothermic to answer the medical staff’s questions on the boat, so I was pulled from the water. It was hard on me, mentally.”

Instead of letting this get him down, it pushed him to overcome. One month later, he crossed the warm waters of the Mediterranean between Capri and Naples, in Italy.

“After Saint-Jean, I doubted myself. However, Italy gave me my confidence back. It was worth the three extra weeks of training.”

Open water, he says, adds a level of complexity that doesn’t exist in a pool: direction, weather, and strategy come into play, notably “drafting”—a suction technique that allows one to swim in the wave created by a fellow competitor to save energy.

“In a pool, you have your lane. In open water, you can position yourself behind another swimmer and use their wake to your advantage. You must learn to look forward, situate yourself, and manage your effort without any precise notion of time.”

Luckily, Lacasse can count on the unwavering support of his coach, David Bruandet. He praises Bruandet, who has been with him since his early days in Sherbrooke, for his presence and dedication.

“He’s there day and night, often before us, always ready to oversee a session. In the summer, he hits the lake in his kayak to follow us throughout our training. He’s made a lot of sacrifices, and that’s something you don’t find everywhere.”

For Sherbrooke’s swim team, camaraderie is also a driving force. The long-distance swimmers often train together and keep close contact outside of the pool—they’ve even built a tradition of weekly outings to local restaurants.

Lacasse now sets his sights on a successful return to Lac Saint-Jean, with the goal of finishing his crossing and improving how he handles the cold. Strategic weight gain is to help better tolerate the long exposure to freezing cold water.

While he loves the thrill of the race, it’s not the medals that keep him going.

“It’s not just about winning. It’s about pushing yourself. Not giving up when it gets difficult.”