When Nardia Guillaumier lost her father Bill Gorissen in 2024 to cardiac amyloidosis, a rare and little-known disease, she knew she had to do something in his memory.Fast-forward to March 2025, and Guillaumier had just claimed her second consecutive gold medal in the 2000m event at the World Indoor Rowing Championships. Inspired by grief and triumph, she set her sights on a bold new goal: the Kiama Ultra Challenge.“My dad passed away from cardiac amyloidosis - a condition where the body creates a bent protein that gathers on an organ. In his case, it was the heart. It hardens over time until the organ can no longer function,” Guillaumier said.“I realised hardly anyone had heard of the disease, and I wanted to raise awareness - and do it in his honour. Since I’m relatively fit and still competing, I thought, why not put my heartbeats to good use?”Her idea? Take her experience as a 2km competitive rower and push it far beyond her limits - by rowing 100km on an indoor machine.But it didn’t stop there. “I asked my coach, Alan Swan of Swan Athletics, to help train me for the 100km row, and he said, ‘Why don’t I bike 200km beside you on an indoor bike?’ It was brilliant - two different machines, one shared goal.”From a two-person challenge, the event has now grown into a community-wide fundraiser. Twelve teams will participate alongside Guillaumier and Swan, taking turns on indoor rowers and bikes to keep them moving for the full 8- 9 hours it will take the pair to complete their challenge.“It’s not a race. There’s no competition for time or distance. The only winner is the team that raises the most money,” said Guillaumier.The event is raising funds for four charities close to the organisers’ hearts: Amyloidosis Network Australia, Breast Cancer Network Australia, The Leukaemia Foundation and Kiama Surf Life Saving ClubThese charities were selected based on personal connections: Guillaumier’s sister is a breast cancer survivor, Swan’s mother and sister have also overcome breast cancer, and both have friends affected by leukaemia. The Surf Club, a vital community hub, was added for its important role in saving lives and training volunteers.Despite the personal nature of the challenge, it’s no small physical feat.“The furthest I’ve rowed is 57km - and that was just a few weeks ago,” Guillaumier said. “This will be tough. But why set an easy goal? This is meant to test every ounce of my body and mind. When people donate, they know we’re giving it absolutely everything.”Training continues in the lead-up to the event, with long practice rows and a competition in October to build endurance. Guillaumier remains determined.“We’re lucky - we get to choose this challenge. So many others don’t. That’s what keeps me going.”While team registrations are now full, the public can still take part in a few ways: Try out the public rower on the day for a small donation, buy raffle tickets (with over $7,000 in prizes donated by local businesses) or simply come along to cheer and show support.The Kiama Ultra Challenge will take place at the Kiama Surf Club Auditorium on 15 November, beginning with a 7.30am briefing for an 8am start. Guillaumier and Swan expect to finish between 4-5pm.Donations can be made to participating teams via the Kiama Surf Club website - just search “Kiama Ultra Challenge”.Guillaumier also shared her thanks to all who have made the event possible - especially the event’s Gold Sponsors, BIG4 Easts Beach Kiama and Gregory Scaffolding, as well as their two Silver Sponsors and 11 Bronze Sponsors.She extended special thanks to the Kiama Bowling Club, Club Jamberoo, Kiama Farmers’ Market, and the many local businesses that donated vouchers, raffle prizes, and support.“The generosity has been overwhelming. It started as a small idea, and now it’s grown into something that really feels like it’s making a difference.”And one final incentive? If the team hits their $100,000 stretch goal, Guillaumier has promised to chop off her hair.
