I discovered Natation Gatineau at age 8, in its swim school. What was meant to be a simple activity quickly became a way of life. There I built my identity as a young person, then as an athlete, as a junior coach and, today, as a sport professional.
As a swimmer, I had the chance to stand out through my determination and perseverance, notably by holding the Natation Gatineau record in the 400 m individual medley for several years. More than the results, this journey taught me discipline, resilience and the drive to always seek to improve.
For more than thirteen years, I have had the privilege of working with hundreds of swimmers of all ages and levels. Over my career I have coached practically all of Natation Gatineau’s competitive groups and led the Griffons collegiate team, which achieved provincial podiums as well as record growth in its program.
I am an NCCP Level 2 coach and consider myself above all a passionate advocate for human development. Swimming is a remarkable laboratory where young people learn far more than how to swim: they learn to think, to show courage, to accept failure, to solve problems and to push their own limits.
My philosophy is simple: performance is never an end in itself. It is the result of a constant pursuit of personal excellence. Every practice is an opportunity to develop technique, independence, critical thinking, rigour and the joy of learning. When these qualities take root, performance follows naturally.
On the technical side, I believe that a well-built swimmer is one who will stay healthy for a long time. A mastered technique not only lets you go faster, but also prevents the vast majority of injuries. That is why I pay particular attention to the quality of movement and to technical fundamentals, whatever the athlete’s level.
Natation Gatineau has given me far more than a sport. The club allowed me to grow, to discover my strengths, to build my confidence and to find a calling. I watched the Sports Centre rise from the ground, I watched the club evolve over the years, and I had the privilege of contributing to it as a swimmer, coach, manager and mentor.
Today, what motivates me remains exactly the same as when I started: to pass on to young people what swimming gave me and to offer them an environment where they can not only become better swimmers, but above all better people.
