“She is incredible. A rare combination of talent, honesty and consistency,” is how its chairman and founder Zdeněk Mikoláš characterizes the female member of the Třebíč Ice Bear Club. Tomáš Prokop, the vice-chairman of the winter swimming section of the Czech Swimming Sports Association, completely agrees with this.
“When the deadline became available last year for the possibility of crossing the North Channel between Ireland and Scotland, where the conditions are the toughest, I knew she was the only one who would be able to prepare for it,” she confirms.
The covid drove her into the ice water
The now 20-year-old student of the sports faculty of Masaryk University in Brno was trained by the warm covered pool. Movement in the water enchanted her at elementary school in her native Třebíč, and she honed her technique following the lines on the tiled bottom even in high school. But when the covid measures closed the pool, there was nowhere to go. Her class teacher then threw her a rope to the Třebíč toughers.
Andrea held up the imaginary glove. Three years later, she fished out of the freezing Odra at the World Championships in winter swimming in Głogów, Poland, winning two silvers and a bronze in classical disciplines.
“It was a shock at the time, even going to the World Championships, and then a medal,” smiles the small girl, who says she “just enjoys” swimming.
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Last year, she repeated her participation in the World Championships in Samoëns, France, where she expanded her collection of medals; in addition, she became the champion of the republic. Entering university directed her to the swimming club Krokodyl Brno, where she also started competing in long-distance swimming.
Talent for the Czech Republic is being grabbed by the scruff of the neck
“I still miss the synchronized thing,” he laughs at the remark about the birth of the aquatic equivalent of Ester Ledecká. It is certainly not particularly exaggerated. The fresh-faced “distance runner” has already managed to register within the Czech Swimming Sports Association as the first person who, in accordance with the official rules, has crossed the length of the Dalešická Reservoir. Last October, in water with a temperature of 13 to 18 °C, she managed a route of almost fifteen kilometers in about four hours. With a smile that naturally belongs to her.
Photo: Archive of Andrea Klementová
Andrea Klementová after last year’s success at the World Championships in winter swimming in France
“I have been following Andrea’s growth for two years. He has what it takes; if she trains, it shouldn’t be a problem for her to master La Mancha quickly,” says Jakub Valníček, himself a conqueror of the channel and a hunter of domestic talents, whose desire is to increase the prestige of swimmers from a land without sea in an international comparison.
“Distance swimming appeals more to middle-aged people, but there is a better chance of a record with the younger ones,” he sees in the swimmer as an iron in the fire.
Andrea already faced questions on La Manche last year at the Dalešická dam. “I won’t fight back when it comes, but it’s better not to plan,” she laughed. She had no idea that two invitations would come soon: for the relay in July, and a month later for a solo cruise. She nodded at both of them.
Photo: Archive of Andrea Klementová
Andrea Klementová at the races
Support wanted
“At first I didn’t have the courage to say it at home,” admits Andrea, who has the European Championship in Romania in February and the World Championship in Estonia in March. Sponsors do not line up at the swimmers’ doors, and the university student, who travels to competitions in the country every weekend, is a burden on the family’s coffers, which worries the busy lady. She can cope with the combination of learning and training on her own, and when asked if she is worried about the sea premiere, she just smiles kindly again. “I’m curious about myself,” she says.
