Vasco Vilaça’s Triathlon Story: Filming Swim Training with Outex
Sep 29, 2026
How do you film a triathlete’s journey across the water and on land? This story revisits The Boy Called Vilaça, a film whose production used Outex waterproof camera housings in and around the water, and explores ways photographers can capture swimming, cycling, running and training.
Vasco Vilaça’s World Championship
On September 27, 2026, Portuguese triathlete Vasco Vilaça secured his first World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS) title in Pontevedra, Spain, following an extraordinary finish against defending champion Matt Hauser.
Just 0.08 seconds separated the two athletes at the finish line. Hauser won the race, but Vilaça's second-place finish secured the overall world championship.
For Outex, the occasion brings back a special connection: our waterproof camera housing system was used in the production of The Boy Called Vilaça, a film documenting Vasco's dedication to triathlon, produced with the support of HEAD and Specialized.
The Boy Called Vilaça: Capturing the Journey
Long before the world championship, The Boy Called Vilaça introduced audiences to a young Portuguese athlete with extraordinary ambition.
Filmed in Portugal, the production brought together sports storytelling, professional cinematography and intimate perspectives on the training and determination required to compete at the highest level.
How was Outex used in The Boy Called Vilaça?
Outex waterproof camera housings helped the production team capture content in and around the water. That let the film include water-level perspectives alongside the training story. The specific camera and lens setup used on the production is not detailed here.
Triathlon Photography: Three Sports, Countless Creative Opportunities
Triathlon presents unique challenges for sports photographers and filmmakers.
Capturing the complete story means moving between swimming, cycling, running, transitions, training sessions and competition environments.
And some of the most compelling moments happen where conventional camera equipment cannot safely go.
With Outex, photographers can bring professional cameras into the water, capture split-level perspectives, document swim technique, and transition to shooting cycling and running without sacrificing protection from rain, splashes, dust or mud.
That's part of the beauty of Outex: one versatile waterproof camera system, with countless applications.
Why Sports Photographers Choose Outex
Unlike traditional rigid underwater housings designed around individual camera bodies, Outex uses a patented flexible, modular system that adapts to different cameras and lenses.
For photographers covering triathlon, swimming and other outdoor sports, the advantages include:
- Universal compatibility: Use different DSLR, mirrorless, film and cinema cameras without purchasing an entirely new housing for every upgrade.
- Professional optical performance: Optical glass ports and domes help preserve image quality.
- Full tactile control: Operate camera buttons, dials and lens controls through the flexible housing.
- Travel-friendly design: Lightweight and compact enough to accompany photographers between training camps, assignments and competitions.
- Versatile protection: Suitable for underwater photography and demanding outdoor environments, including rain, spray, sand and dust.
- Long-term value: Modular components can adapt as your photography equipment evolves.
For a camera and lens setup, explore the Outex Camera Pro Kit. For coaches, athletes and content creators filming with a smartphone, the Outex Phone Pro Kit offers another way to capture underwater training footage, behind-the-scenes content and social media video.
Beyond Triathlon: A System Built for Sports Storytelling
Outex has also supported professional sports photographers documenting Olympic-level swimming, commercial campaigns and international sporting events.
Professional triathlon photographer James Mitchell, for example, has used Outex for assignments involving leading sports brands and athletes, appreciating its universal compatibility and compact design.
From underwater swimming footage to outdoor action photography, Outex gives creators the flexibility to follow the story rather than limit themselves to one camera, lens or environment.
Congratulations, Vasco!
Watching Vasco Vilaça become World Champion makes revisiting The Boy Called Vilaça especially rewarding.
Congratulations to Vasco and everyone who has contributed to his journey.
We're proud that Outex played a small part in helping filmmakers tell his story.
And to the photographers, coaches, athletes and filmmakers capturing the next generation of champions: the best sports stories aren't limited to what happens above the surface.
Capture the Entire Story with Outex
Whether you're photographing professional triathlon, documenting swim training, filming an athlete's journey or capturing your family's sporting adventures, Outex helps take your existing cameras and lenses into more environments.
One system. More cameras. More sports. More possibilities.
Find a housing for your camera: Outex Camera Pro Kit