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Lukas, after swimming around Saint Barth last February (JSB1652), what motivated you to swim between the two northern islands?
Lukas Outil: It started as an idea from my former swim coach, Didier Icheck, who sadly passed away last June. Didier was a big name in Guadeloupean swimming; he coached at the Creps Antilles Guyane youth development center…and he coached me, too (emotionally). It was after my swim around Saint Barth that he planted this idea in my head. He kept bugging me about it, if I may say so [laughs]. It was very important to him that I take on this challenge. In a way, my performance is a tribute to him—to the man, the friend, and the coach he was.
You also swam for a noble cause, didn’t you?
Yes, I wanted to support the Agence Territoriale de l’Environnement (A.T.E.). The A.T.E. does a lot for the marine environment, such as clean-ups and coral planting. It’s important to raise public awareness, and this organization does that very well. We need to highlight its work.
It took you 6 hours and 7 minutes to complete the crossing—that’s a remarkable achievement!
Yes, but keep in mind, I’m not chasing a record. I don’t want to take this title or this challenge away from anyone, because I know that other swimmers did it long before me. They hadn’t officially recorded their results back then. The data and records weren’t necessarily officially documented, as they are today.
What was the hardest part of this 22.35 km open-water swim?
Around the 13th kilometer, there was a lot of swell coming from behind me, forcing me to arch my back. It was very hard—I got cramps. I had to drink a lot at every refueling stop to keep going. By the way, I only saw dolphins and no sharks [laughs].
What’s the difference, in terms of swimming, between circling Saint Barth and swimming to Saint Martin from here?
Swimming around the island is harder because you’re often tossed about by the waves. It’s a race that really puts your joints to the test, where you have to fight the currents. The inter-island crossing is more about endurance and concentration.
How did you feel when you reached Oyster Pond in Saint Martin?
Everyone was there around me—my family, who followed my progress during the swim, as well as friends who were already there, and my sponsors, who were essential to my success. I was very happy and spent a lot of time interacting with the crowd, which had turned out in large numbers.
What are your upcoming swimming plans?
I did two big races in 2026, so you won’t see me in the water again until next year [laughs]. My dad’s been urging me to do a Half-Ironman with him—I’m thinking it over, and I actually think I’m going to say yes. But that doesn’t mean I plan to stop swimming. I’ll keep you posted on my next challenge—I promise!
