Nikki Ayers

Nikki Louise Ayers (born 3 March 1991) is an Australian Paralympic rower. She was a member of the PR3 Mix 4+ at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. Ayers and Jed Altschwager won a gold medal at the 2023 World Rowing Championships and the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

Personal life Ayers grew up in Narooma, New South Wales and moved to Canberra to study for a nursing degree at University of Canberra. Ayers played rugby union and captained the ACT Women's Brumbies 7's team. In 2016, during a rugby union game, a tackle led to her dislocating her knee. The injury severed a major artery and nerve damage caused her to lose feeling in her foot. In 2021, she worked as a registered nurse in the Intensive Care Unit at The Canberra Hospital and has a postgraduate Diploma in Critical Care.

Ayers is openly lesbian. She was one of the initial ambassadors of a program called "Thrive With Pride" started by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). At the 2024 Paris Paralympics, Ayers was an ambassador for Pride House Paris 2024.

Rowing career Ayers competed twice in the surf boat George Bass Marathon along the South Coast.

Ayers moved to Adelaide after completing her midwifery studies in Canberra in to train with Jed Altschwager in the PR3 Mixed Double.

Ayers with Jed Altschwager won the gold medal in the PR3 Mixed Double at the 2023 World Rowing Championships in Belgrade and the 2024 Summer Paralympics. They became the first Australian Paralympic rowers to win a gold medal.

In May 2026, Ayers announced her retirement from competitive rowing.

Recognition 2023 - Rowing Australia Para Crew of the Year with Jed Altschwager. 2023 - World Rowing Para Crew of the Year with Jed Altschwager 2023 - Canberra Sport Awards - Para Athlete of The Year and Female Athlete of the Year 2024 - South Australian Sports Institute Para Athlete of the Year Jed Altschwager 2023 - Rowing Australia Para Crew of the Year with Jed Altschwager 2024 -Paralympics Australia Team of the Year with Jed Altschwager 2024 - Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to sport as a gold medallist at the Paris Paralympic Games 2024.