Clarice Le Roux, SA Swimming champion, specialising in 5 & 10 km Open Water Races, just recently made SA swimming history along with her sister Carmen when they both qualified to represent SA in Russia for the FINA World Open Water Championships in July. This was not her first international appearance as she had proudly been part of Team SA before.
Clarice is a humble, family loving, dedicated young swimmer who has overcome a lot in life with medical challenges, but one who has still managed to rise to the top and swim For His Glory!
She has been home schooled by the wonderful A.C.E. system and even up to this day many a swimming record still sits against her name SACSSA. She is a powerful rising star, and one to keep an eye on. This is not overnight as Clarice has a long history of excellence behind her. In 2011 at the age of 15 she was named by SACSSA – Southern African Christian Schools Sports Association as the Best Swimmer and Netball player as well as Senior Sportswoman of the year. She acts as loving mentor and advisor to her younger sister, Carmen who is also a swimming champion of note.
Athlete: Bio / Stats |
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| Name & Surname | Clarice Le Roux |
| Nick Name | Lie Lie |
| Date of birth | 6 Aug 1996 |
| Place of birth | Vereeniging |
| Current City | Durban |
| Height | 162 |
| Weight | 55 |
| Shoe Size | 4 |
| Club | Action Swimming Academy |
| Coach’s Name | Alisdair Hatfield |
| Out of Country events/ meets | 2013 Fina World champs open water 2015 Fina World champs open water |
| Favorite City | Durban |
| Favorite Song/ type of music | Hold back the river-James bay |
| Favorite Movie | A walk to Remember |
| School & Grade | 12 |
| Sponsors | Speedo and Peptosport |
| Twitter and Instagram names, facebook name | @Clariceleroux4 , Clarice Le Roux |
| Parents Names | Ansie (Mom) and Nico (Dad) |
INTERVIEW:
Q: You are passionate and doing so well in your swimming, tell me a little bit about how you started in swimming and your journey in the swimming arena up to now?
I started learning how to swim when I was 3 years old for water safety. Then I started swimming competitively when I was 7 years old. My family is very active and we all share the love of sports. Swimming has always been an enjoyable sport for me.
Q: What is the highest accolade that you have achieved in swimming and what is your greatest personal accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment would be when I made Fina World Champs in 2013. It was one of those things in my life that I will never forget. I was only 16 and did not expect to make it.
This year making 2015 Fina world champs, it was a great experience!
Q: What are your highlights of these travels, and what does travelling do for your mindset/ perspective on things?
Travelling is one of the treats that come with racing internationally. I love traveling and like exploring new people and places. Seeing other competitors is eye opener and helps me to see how hard I must train.
Q: Represented Team SA, where did you go and how did you experience it?
I went to Barcelona, it was a beautiful place and landscape. It was the first time I traveled and it was even more than I expected. I also went to Russia this year and it was much different there than what is in South Africa. The people there have a much different culture.
Q: Do you have any specific regimens or rituals in swimming? Maybe a particular diet / training method that can be partially attributed to your success?
My diet is very important to me and eating right. Training is one of those disciplines that you have to commit to and do every day and put effort in.
Q: How do you manage to fit in both sports and academics into your schedule?
I’ve been doing Homeschool since grade 9 and it has really helped me to do both the best I can.
Q: Beside your swimming what do you have a passion for?
I have a passion for people and would love to be a physiotherapist one day. I also enjoy my family and we are very close.
Q: Tell me one thing about yourself that the world does not know ?
I’m very hard on myself and strive to reach my goals.
Q: Would you like to share a little bit more about your faith journey and how it has affected your life / sports?
In our family our faith is very important to us and it is the one thing that we share as a family. Faith in sports is very important, especially to me , because I didn’t even think it will be possible to do sport when I was younger. I was born with a dislocated hip and it was a miracle for me even to do any sport. I am very blessed and fortunate to have parents who were an example of faith. They continue believing in me and helped me in my journey and faith.
Q: What do you do to relax?
I love going to the movies and going out with my family.
Q: Which athlete/ athletes inspire you?
Keri-Anne Payne is my role model and I look up to her. She is a very good open water swimmer and she never gives up.
Karen Prinsloo is such a role model in swimming but also in showing her faith. She is the best female swimmer in South Africa.
Chad Ho is a very good open water swimmer, the best South Africa has had.
Q: What is your personal favourite motivational quote?
I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me!
Philippians 4;13 – My mom used to say this verse to us when we were small and it has been a great motivation in my life.
Q: What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Never give up! and Swim your own race!
Q: What is your biggest challenge, and what do you do to manage this challenge?
My challenge is to keep motivating myself in swimming and my faith is my biggest help.
Q: When you’ve had a tough / bad day, what lifts you up again?
My family is always there to motivate me and help me get through anything.
Q: What’s to be expected next from Clarice?
I will be training hard and doing my best at competitions and hoping to be swimming internationally soon!
Thank you so much for taking this interview. We would like to wish you all the best for your sports and academic journey ahead. We look forward to following you as you go from strength to strength. Blessings!
