Nikki Ayers

Started: She took up Para rowing at Capital Lakes Rowing Club in Canberra, ACT, Australia, and began training competitively in 2018. "I hit every buoy in every race because I was so new at it." (naroomanewsonline.com.au, 23 Jul 2021; smh.com.au, 16 Aug 2018) Reason: She went to an information session at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, where she was encouraged to take up rowing with the intention of attempting to qualify for the 2020 Paralympic Games. "I never thought about not doing anything. I was in the gym with my sister when I was still on crutches. The biggest challenge was overcoming my injury and being able to believe in my potential. I did a bit of surfboat rowing while I was playing rugby. I figured it couldn't be much different to surfboats. That's how I got into rowing." (abc.net.au, 28 Jul 2021; naroomanewsonline.com.au, 23 Jul 2021; smh.com.au, 16 Aug 2018) Ambition: To win gold at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (Rowing Australia Facebook page, 12 Jul 2023) Awards: She was named Female Para Athlete of the Year for 2023 by the South Australian Sports Institute [SASI]. (weare.sa.gov.au, 12 Dec 2023) She and crewmate Jed Altschwager were named Para Crew of the Year for 2023 by World Rowing. (worldrowing.com, 11 Dec 2023) She was named Para Athlete of the Year and Female Athlete of the Year at the 2023 Canberra Sports Awards in Australia. (Rowing ACT Instagram profile, 23 Nov 2023) She and crewmate Jed Altschwager were named Para Crew of the Year at the 2023 Hancock Prospecting Rower of the Year Awards in Australia. (rowingaustralia.com.au, 18 Nov 2023) Additional Info: MIXED DOUBLE SCULLS In 2022 she teamed up with Jed Altschwager with a view to competing in the PR3 mixed double sculls at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. She also moved from Canberra to Adelaide so they are able to train together. "He's such an easygoing, laid-back Aussie dude, so we got along straight away. We've had similar experiences. It was just like a no brainer when the chance came up to row the double together. We're aiming for that gold medal [at Paris 2024] but it's all about the journey and I'm happy with where I am because I wouldn't want to be doing this journey with anybody else." (paralympic.org, 11 Jan 2024; abc.net.au, 12 Jul 2023; Rowing Australia Facebook page, 12 Jul 2023) INSPIRATION She was inspired by Australian wheelchair racer Kurt Fearnley while recovering from her knee injury. "When I injured my knee, I read Kurt Fearnley's book which was motivational. It was about realising that if you have been dealt a bad card, you can do something to make the most of it. Also, being a part of the elite athlete world where so many have overcome adversity and challenges to adapt and be independent. The hardest part was coming to grips with the scar I've got. I always used to wear pants [to hide it]. But when I met [Jed Altschwager] and heard about how he embraced who he was, that helped. I stopped wearing pants and when I had that confidence I could embrace it more. When you get stronger, you get more confidence to push yourself and find those new boundaries to break." (naroomanewsonline.com.au, 23 Jul 2021; smh.com.au, 16 Aug 2018)