Nardia Guillaumier, a four-time world champion in indoor rowing, started her journey in a converted dairy shed overlooking the Jamberoo hillside. The Illawarra athlete, who works as a photographer by day, turned to a gifted ergometer during the COVID-19 pandemic when gyms closed.
Guillaumier began training under coach Alan Swan at his property, which initially had spiders, rats, mice, hay, and snakes. Swan later concreted the floor, added a bathroom, and equipped the shed with weights, rowing machines, ski ergs, and bike ergs. The facility offers a picturesque view of green hills and dairy cows.
Her first challenge was rowing 50 kilometers in a fortnight. After finding Swan as a coach, she competed in October 2020, winning a silver, two bronze, and a gold medal in the relay. Swan then insisted she perfect her form before racing again, leading to a two-year training period before her first world championship.
Guillaumier has since won medals in four consecutive world championships, including four golds, one silver, and one bronze in distances from 2000m to 5000m. She has shaved 47 seconds off her 5000m personal best, now 19.13 minutes.
She emphasizes that indoor rowing is a zero-impact sport that works 95% of muscles, and her first competitor is herself. At 50, she continues to improve, finding joy in the sport and the unique training environment.
