From business success to community strength: Kiama’s ultimate endurance test
Nardia Guillaumier and Alan Swan show how business energy can fuel meaningful change
Alan Swan and Nardia Guillaumier want to show the power of their community in November’s Kiama Ultra Challenge.
Do business high achievers take their lofty goals and ambitions with them out of the office? Do they shoot for the stars and go hell for leather in their competitive arena of choice?
For Kiama photographer Nardia Guillaumier, that’s a definitive yes — and she insists the benefits are two-way.
Guillaumier is a larger-than-life ball of energy and positivity who has won multiple world indoor rowing championship medals. She admits to throwing herself full force into every project — professionally and personally.
After a successful career in real estate, she launched NEG Photography, now a thriving commercial business specialising in drone and brand imagery. The pace, she says, remains full throttle.
“Working for yourself means you have to allocate your time and work efficiently. It also means I need to be fit,” Guillaumier said. “I have a lot of energy. People ask if you’re a morning person or afternoon person — I’m an all-day person.”
The converted hay shed on Alan Swan’s farm that now churns out. champion indoor rowers.
Sitting beside her in the converted hay shed that serves as his Jamberoo gym, Alan Swan — coach, Kiama Surf Life Saving Club legend, and owner of Swan Athletic — raises his eyebrows and smiles knowingly.
Once a full-time farmer, Swan pivoted after burnout to build a new life centred on health, community and performance. What began as “training a few mates in the shed” has grown into a small business producing world-class results.
“When I set up, I said to myself I wouldn’t employ anyone. I wanted this just to be a one-man band for simplicity’s sake,” Swan said. “But it has reached a point now where I have employed someone. I was lucky to have someone here who was just made for the job, so I encouraged her to go and get her qualifications.”
He says working with Guillaumier has had a ripple effect across his gym community.
“There’s the one-on-one coaching and trying to push Nardia to be her best, but it’s also the influence that has on the wider gym community. From a personal development point of view, Nardia’s ceiling is so high it pushes my coaching skills to a point now where we’re looking at what we can do to delay any drop off for as long as possible.”
Their partnership began in 2020, when Guillaumier, strength training at Oxygen Fitness in Kiama, sought to refine her rowing technique.
“Whilst I’m a pretty confident person, I do find walking into new things, like especially a gym, intimidating. But as it turns out this place, like Oxygen, is full of real people.”
Two years later, the pair’s dedication paid off. Guillaumier is now a dual world champion, defending her world age-group 2km title in 2025.
Job done. Swan and Guillaumier moments after the world championship gold medal was retained. Pic supplied.
Now, their sights are set on their biggest test yet: the Kiama Ultra Challenge on November 15. Guillaumier will row 100km on a Concept2 rowing machine at Kiama Surf Club while Swan will tackle 200km on a stationary bike.
They won’t do it alone. Local businesses and community teams have rallied behind them — with ten teams of rowers and two teams of bikers keeping the machines moving until the pair cross the finish line.
The fundraising goal is $50,000, with gold sponsors Big 4 Easts Beach Caravan Park and Gregory’s Scaffolding leading the charge. Dozens of Jamberoo, Gerringong and Kiama businesses have also donated more than $7000 worth of prizes for the day’s raffles.
“The support has been overwhelming,” Guillaumier said. “It reassures you that you’re doing this for the right reasons, and people are backing you.”
Funds raised will go to four causes that have deeply touched their lives: Breast Cancer Network Australia, The Leukaemia Foundation, Amyloidosis Australia Network, and Kiama Surf Life Saving Club.
“I know this will be tough. Mentally, physically, emotionally – but it is nothing compared to going through chemotherapy, watching a family member go through treatment, watching someone struggle because they can’t function like they used to,” Guillaumier said.
“My dad’s heart may have stopped beating because of cardiac amyloidosis, but Alan and I are fit and healthy people with heartbeats to give for this challenge and we will give it everything we can.”
As part of our drive to expand our journalism, we’re opening advertising opportunities for organisations that want to align with our mission and connect with an influential audience of local business leaders. Contact us to discuss options.