Denis Rousse is returning to Pro Hydro competition for the 2026 season, with a rebuilt machine and a clear goal: to finally stand on the top step of the podium at Valleyfield after a career spent too often finishing second.
Rousse will pilot the former GP-25 hydroplane, recently modified at Henderson Hydroplanes. The boat will carry the number V110 and race under the name L'Oiseau bleu, an identity he has used since 1987.
The comeback has been a long time in the making. He began working on a return project in 2023, but it couldn't be finalised at that point. What's brought him back now is the growing interest in the Pro Hydro class, and a desire not just to compete but to contribute to its growth and visibility.
Rousse is under no illusions about the competition he'll face. He names Guillaume Charette, driving a brand-new boat, as his main rival for the season.
In a separate arrangement, Rousse has invited Denys Charette to take the wheel of one of the Pro Hydro boats from the Charette Racing – Essence Pro-Hydro team, owned by Guy Durand, for a race. The invitation was accepted. The two drivers have embraced the pairing with good humour, jokingly referring to themselves as "the two old-timers."
His goals for 2026 are straightforward. Confident in both the boat and his team, Rousse believes this season could finally be the right one, provided he gets good starts and remains consistent throughout the year.
