Who’s who at the Y? Meet Lauric Clement

Lauric Clement is a humble and kind 13-year-old who also happens to rank amongst the best speed skaters in Canada in the youth category. In fact, it was Lauric’s off ice personal trainer, the YMCA’s very own Coach Roman Karmadanov who approached the communication team to run a Y Impact Story about his inspiring client.

We’re excited to share Lauric’s story and we’re pleased to see the positive impact the YMCA of Fredericton has had on helping to ignite Lauric’s talents.

Lauric’s journey at the Y started at the age of 5 years old when he joined our summer sports camps. Already showing the need of keeping himself physically active, Lauric enjoyed the opportunity to participate in many different sports throughout the themed weeks. But more than learning sportsmanship and skill, Lauric loved making new friends and improving his English.

Lauric continued his activities at the Y by pursuing swimming lessons and moving towards his Bronze Cross. In the future, Lauric sees himself attaining his lifeguarding certification.

Lauric is a multilingual young athlete who primarily speaks French and Swiss German at home. His father is Canadian, and his mother is Swiss. When practicing with the Fredericton Amateur Speed Skating Club (FASSCI), he mainly communicates with his coaches and teammates in English.

Lauric was first introduced to speed skating through the Learn-To-Skate program with FASSCI.  As soon as Lauric was able to make his way around the ice on blades, he felt drawn to the thrill of Speed Skating. When Lauric was 10-years old, the FASSCI`s instructors noticed that Lauric really held potential to be a dynamo on ice. Now, at only 13 years old, Lauric has competed in multiple short track and long track events, including 4 Youth Canadian Championship. He also has represented Lausanne’s Speed Skating Club when invited to compete in Germany in December.

As one can imagine, the fitness level for an athlete of this caliber must be supported with a varied and complementary workout. This is where the YMCA has filled a niche for Lauric by attending to his physical fitness needs through athlete’s developmental exercises and weight training that he may not experience while on ice. For a speed skater, strength, agility, stability and flexibility are key factors in maintaining pique performance. Lauric started working with a personal trainer at the Y at the age of 11 and continues to work with one today.

In terms of Lauric’s regimen, he works with Roman two times a week for one hour each time and attends 3 on ice training with FASSCI. Our Y kinesiology team has tailored routines targeting crucial areas to improve form and lessen injury, while keeping it pleasant for Lauric.

To get a sense of what is required to become a dedicated athlete, one need look no further than Lauric’s weekly schedule. Every day includes some level of physical activity, yet the most important ingredient is the fun and comraderies Lauric enjoys while part of our local speed skating team at Grant Harvey arena.