Episode 6: Interview with Nik Fleming - 'The Big Bird'

In episode 6 of The Indoor Rower, Tony talks to fellow indoor competitor and fierce rival from 20 years ago, Nik Fleming - aka Big Bird.

Nik is a former 4 x British Rowing Indoor Champion and a 3 x World Rowing Indoor Champion. He is still the World Record Holder for small team relay over 100km which was set in 2004, with MAD Indoor Rowing Club. He has also broken the 4-man relay marathon record racing with only 3 in his team!

Nik was part of the 3-way tie at the 2002 Crash-B’s (World Indoors) in Boston in the master’s category (30-39) with fellow Brits Chris Rushton and Tony Larkman all winning coveted Hammers. All 3 Brits finished in 5:57.6, just 0.2 seconds in front of US 2 x Olympic silver medal rower, Tom Bohrer.

With a personal best of 5:53.4 achieved in another world title for the Big Bird at the 2008 Crash-B’s at 39 years of age, Nik has established himself as one of the best indoor rowing competitors of all time and was the second man to break 6 minutes for 2k in 2001 as a non-water rower. He has broken 6 minutes for 2000 metres an astonishing 23 times!

In this episode, Nik reveals how he started rowing, the training, the racing, the injuries, retirement and a possible comeback.