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BC Swimming Alumni: Willem Hergesheimer
April 8, 2026
Willem Hergesheimer’s swimming journey in British Columbia reflects both a deep commitment to the sport and a lasting appreciation for the community around it. He competed from 1998 to 2010 with several clubs across the province, including the Bulkley Valley Otters, Nanaimo Riptides, Ravensong, Langley Olympians (now Olympians Swimming), Langley Flippers Summer Club, and the Spartan Swim Club. In 2021, he returned to the sport as a coach, continuing to give back to the swimming community.
Some of Hergesheimer’s favourite moments include medaling at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival and representing Team BC at events such as the Western Canada Summer Games, Age Group Championships, and the Paul Bergen International. While these achievements marked important milestones, it was the broader experience of representing his province and country that left the strongest impression; building friendships, learning from others, and experiencing different cultures through sport.
Throughout his career, Hergesheimer was shaped by the many coaches and teammates he encountered. Swimming provided him with a strong sense of structure and resilience, teaching him to view setbacks as opportunities for growth. Those lessons have remained central to his life beyond the pool, guiding how he approaches challenges and personal development.
Since stepping away from competitive swimming, Hergesheimer has embraced the sense of exploration the sport inspired in him. He has travelled extensively, lived overseas, and continues to pursue new experiences around the world.
Now back on deck as a coach, he remains connected to the sport and its community. His perspective has shifted from performance to people, recognizing that what matters most are not the results, but the shared moments, conversations on deck, time between races, and the experiences that bring teammates together. Hergesheimer hopes to give back to the BC swimming community that played such a significant role in shaping his journey.