The moment Kiama rower Nardia Guillarmier and her coach Alan Swan knew she’d hit a PB in the 2000m World Indoor Rowing Championships. Photo: Nardia Guillarmier.
Kiama’s Nardia Guillaumier didn’t expect to become a world champion athlete in her 40s, but now she’s the proud holder of gold and bronze medals from the World Indoor Rowing Championships.
After five years of hard work, Nardia was up at 3 o’clock two mornings in February to have a crack at the top spot in the 45-49 Women’s Heavyweight 2000 m and the 45-49 Women’s Heavyweight 5oo m.
The races featured competitors from around the world, enabled by rowing machines connected to a racing data portal.
Nardia, a photographer, took gold with a personal-best time in the 2000 m and bronze in the 500 m.
It’s all thanks to a word of encouragement in the gym – and the support of her coach, Jamberoo’s Alan Swan.
“I started rowing as part of my training at the gym, and someone mentioned I was quick,” Nardia said.
“When I looked at how fast I was in comparison with speed standards, I thought I could probably do something with it.”
Nardia found Alan, who agreed to coach her, and in 2020, aged 43, she raced in her first championship.
She took two years off to focus on developing her technique before rowing in the Pan Pacific Masters in 2022, and again in the World Indoor Championships in 2023.
This year, she topped the podium.
“It felt a bit surreal,” Nardia said.
“I was aiming for the top 10. To become a world champion athlete in my 40s wasn’t even on my radar.
“I was ecstatic.”
Nardia said that although she was stoked about the win, it wasn’t her main motivation.
She was driven by her love of physical activity, and her desire to see what her body and mind were capable of.
She hopes her achievements inspire others to get off the couch and find their passion.
“I wanted to see how fast I could go, how far could I push myself and how could I control my anxiety when I get in situations of pressure,” she said.
“I like that it’s an all-over body workout and cardio, no impact on your body and the challenge is for yourself, it’s all about bettering yourself first and foremost.
“I want to motivate others to ensure they move through their whole life.
“If you can sit in that seat, you can row.”
Not content to retire from competition, Nardia has continued to set goals.
Her next challenge is to complete a 100 km row by herself, for a good cause (although just what hasn’t been revealed yet).
Despite the hard work she’s put in, Nardia said it was a team effort.
“I’m so thankful to my coach,” she said.
“He’s there with me almost every time – if anyone wants to learn how to indoor row, look him up.”
