10 questions for…

 1. How did you find out about Swimrun?

My first encounter with swimrun, particularly ÖtillÖ, came in 2014 during my stint as a photojournalist for “Ultramag,” an outdoor magazine that’s sadly no longer with us. Back then, it fell under the “unconventional” sports category we covered. As a seasoned triathlete myself (from the 90s, no less!), I knew a neoprene wetsuit wasn’t exactly conducive to running transitions. The thought of slogging through dozens of kilometers in soaked sneakers, encased in neoprene? Not my cup of tea, to be honest. That was my initial reaction, a seasoned endurance athlete clouded by uninformed biases.

2. What do you like about Swimrun?

In my view, swimrun stands out as one of the most nature-immersive sports, seamlessly blending the terrestrial and aquatic realms. This close connection, this unique fusion of natural elements, elevates it to something truly special. Additionally, swimrun champions exploration in a two-person format. This teamwork aspect, reminiscent of adventure racing, adds a compelling social and psychological dimension. It fosters a sense of belonging to something larger than oneself. Swimrun also emphasizes movement patterns that, with due respect, sometimes echo the conditions faced by our prehistoric ancestors. It tickles me to think that swimrun simply reawakens the primal vestiges buried beneath our facade of modern humans. Ultimately, swimrun serves as a powerful reminder that nature is a tapestry of beauty, fragility, and strength. It underscores the importance of safeguarding the ecosystem that cradled our species. After all, true well-being in nature is simply a return to our origins.

3. Do you Swimrun yourself?

Yes, swimrun has become my primary athletic pursuit. Living in Marseille, France, affords me the privilege of residing near the Calanques National Park, a true natural gem on the Mediterranean coast. This highly protected environment serves as a magnificent backdrop for my swimrun adventures, often shared with French and international friends. On occasion, I inject a dose of excitement by incorporating light climbing sections, adding a whole new aerial dimension to the experience. Alongside my friend François-Xavier Li, we’ve blazed numerous new trails, feeling very much like pioneers of this burgeoning sport in France.

4. How long have you been involved with ÖTILLÖ?

My collaboration with ÖtillÖ began in Cannes in 2018. It started modestly, covering one or two events annually, before culminating in my involvement as a photographer and reporter for Swimrun France across the entire European circuit. When it comes to capturing the action, I rely on a GoPro for close-up shots, complemented by a selection of Nikon cameras for more conventional photos. The finish line photo holds a special place for me, as it immortalizes the emotions of athletes after a grueling, rollercoaster race. It represents the exact moment where all their efforts are validated, and pent-up emotions erupt after weeks of intense training.

5. What makes a good finish line photo?

I’d say that most swimrunners are quite expressive, especially since being in a pair often amplifies both positive and negative reactions. Capturing a fleeting tear, a celebratory embrace, or a primal scream requires split-second timing. Of course, the ideal moment doesn’t always coincide with the finish line itself. It’s often those precious seconds later, when athletes stop their watches and grasp the magnitude of their accomplishment, that become the golden opportunities. Sometimes, I can’t help but feel a bit like a voyeur, momentarily capturing intimate moments. However, I’m often rewarded with grateful thanks (and even photo orders) from athletes who take pride in the way they’re portrayed during these moments of elation or exhaustion.

6. When did you start Swimrun France and why?

In 2015, I had the opportunity to compete in the World Championships with François-Xavier, entering with a wild card as a journalist (it was my first ever swimrun!). We spent all summer training in the Calanques de Marseille. While we aimed for a 10:30 finish time, ÖtillÖ ultimately took us 13 hours. It’s safe to say things didn’t quite go according to plan. For a detailed account of our World Championship experience, I highly recommend watching the “Les Exilés” program on the Canal+ « Intérieur Sport ». To be honest, the final 15 kilometers are a complete blur. However, I undeniably felt the potency of the core values that define swimrun: endurance, solidarity, immersion, and autonomy in a wild environment.

Following the program’s broadcast on Canal+, numerous people approached me on the street, recognizing me from the “crazy race” in Sweden. It was a true awakening, solidifying the notion that this sport possessed something truly special. With newfound passion and a shared sense of enthusiasm, the idea of launching Swimrun France materialized naturally.

7. Do you have a good Swimrun story to share?

The Calanques of Marseille near Sormiou became the stage for a truly extraordinary swimrun adventure with Yvan, Paul, and myself. I had assembled a team of remarkably versatile athletes – adept runners and swimmers, but most notably, exceptional climbers. Our audacious objective: to seamlessly connect a submerged cave swim with a challenging 6a/6b climbing section. Scaling the cliff without proper equipment was out of the question. Enter our trusty dry bags, meticulously packed with ropes, carabiners, climbing shoes, and a harness. The passage through the siphon proved to be an epic ordeal. I had grossly underestimated the exertion required to navigate the submerged passage, even after meticulously deflating our dry bags. Necessity, as they say, is the mother of invention. I contorted myself upside down within the siphon, hauling the bag back to the surface, all while battling the relentless waves. The experience felt akin to sprinting while trapped in a spin cycle washing machine – certainly not my idea of a pleasant swimrun !
Emerging from the watery depths, we tackled the ascent through the cave’s narrow interior, finally reaching open air under the astonished gaze of a group of climbers. Our elation at pioneering this novel swimrun-climbing route (find exact route here) was palpable. This was adventure in its purest form.

8. Which is your favorite ÖTILLÖ race and why?

The Swimrun World Championships held in the Stockholm archipelago remains my undisputed favorite race. It possesses all the right ingredients: distance, location, and the cream of the crop swimrunners. The pre-race tension is palpable, as no one knows for sure if they’ll even reach the finish line, given the potential for harsh, frigid, or scorching conditions. There’s also a sense of pilgrimage involved, the chance to tread and swim on the birthplace of swimrun itself, and perhaps interact with the sport’s pioneers or rub shoulders with current and past champions.

9. You always appear very fit and healthy, what is your trick?

Indeed, maintaining good health is a priority for me. As an outdoor photographer, our bodies are our instruments. Lugging around all the photo and video equipment, especially in areas only accessible on foot, can be quite heavy. Beyond that, I’m passionate about “healthy longevity.” I follow the work of many longevity experts like Andrew Huberman, Peter Attia, Steve Magness, and Alan Couzens. These are either scientists or trainers of versatile athletes, all advocating a holistic approach to endurance and strength training.

I particularly like Peter Attia’s concept of the “decathlon centenarian.” It involves projecting yourself at age 100 and focusing on a specific activity. It could be playing with your great-grandchildren (requiring a squat position) or climbing stairs with a 10kg race bag. By doing some reverse planning based on your current age and factoring in the decline of strength and VO2 max with age, you can calculate the strength or endurance you need to have now! For me, a practical example is being able to complete the GR20 trail at 70 years old with a 15kg backpack for photography – that’s roughly require 25kg to carry and a VO2 max of 50 at currently 56 years old, the goal is to pre-empt the decline in both endurance and physical strength. Trail running, swimrun, and crossfit-style strength training (kettlebells, dumbbells) are my go-to training methods, mirroring the routines of many elite swimrun athletes.

10. At which races will we see you this year?

Naturally, I’ll be participating in the ÖtillÖ European circuit, the Swimrunman circuit, and cherished races like Tâmega, Troll Enez, Valmer, Aquaterra, Beaulieu sur Mer, Transfinistère, and so on. Thanks for the opportunity to chat, and here’s to the future of swimrun!