Troy, from Bronte Beach Fit
“I almost always come back to shore feeling better than when I went in”
Troy Stewart is what this community is all about, living a life that sits right at the intersection of connection, ocean culture, determination, camaraderie and service to others.
In this Local Legends chat, Troy shares what draws him to the ocean each day and the deep gratitude he has for Bronte. He talks us through a memory he’ll never forget – jumping into the ocean in treacherous conditions to save someone in serious trouble. A rescue that wouldn’t be his last.
We find out who he’d most love to have a yarn with and of course, what he’s ordering for Friday knock-offs (Hint: “it sounds like something that shouldn’t work, but somehow it does”).
You’ve been in the ocean since you were just four years old, having joined Nippers one year early we hear! What is it about the ocean that keeps drawing you back each day?
The ocean has always been my reset button.
No matter what’s going on in life, I can paddle out and wash away the stress and noise for a while. I almost always come back to shore feeling better than when I went in.
When I’m out there on my own, it’s a place to reflect on the past and get excited about what’s ahead. But when you’re out there with mates, it’s something completely different—it’s a chance to catch up, have a laugh, and share a few waves together. Honestly, getting waves with mates is probably my favourite thing about the ocean.
After all these years, it still gives me that same sense of freedom, perspective, and connection.
You spent years competing as a Surf Life Saving Ironman before starting Bronte Beach Fit (East Side Crew as it was then). What was it that you were missing most after retiring that led to starting this?
I missed everything about Ironman and Surf Life Saving. I loved the competition and I still think Ironman is one of Australia’s greatest and most unique sports.
What makes it special is that it’s not just about fitness. You need to be good at three different disciplines in the ocean, but just as importantly you need skill, ocean knowledge, and countless hours spent in the water. That’s why I have so much respect for the top Ironman athletes today—they’re incredible.
When I retired, I realised I also missed the camaraderie. The friendships built during and after training are hard to replace. Even now, training with the guys and seeing how competitive they still are keeps that fire burning in me. They inspire me and, if I’m honest, they still make me hungry to win.
Starting Bronte Beach Fit was a way of bringing all of those things back into my life—the ocean, the fitness, the mateship, and that drive to keep improving.
“It’s amazing to see what happens when people start believing in themselves and realise they’re capable of more than they thought”
If someone wandered down to Bronte (or perhaps the Tama stairs) at 6am and watched one of the Bronte Beach Fit sessions, what would they see?
They’d see a great bunch of people having a crack before most of Sydney is even awake.
There’d be people of all different ages and fitness levels getting a sweat up, pushing themselves, and encouraging each other along the way. But just as importantly, they’d see plenty of smiles and hear plenty of laughs.
We train hard, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously. The goal is to get fitter, feel better, and start the day with good people around you. That’s what makes it special and why people keep coming back.
And for you, what’s been the most rewarding part of the Bronte Beach Fit journey?
The people, without a doubt.
I’ve loved meeting new people, creating friendships, and watching people’s confidence grow through health, strength, and fitness. It’s amazing to see what happens when people start believing in themselves and realise they’re capable of more than they thought.
And selfishly, I love that I get to start every day at the beach with good people, a bit of hard work, and plenty of laughs. That’s a pretty good way to live.
Although I’m an early bird, there’s something so special about Bondi in the evening too. That warm glow after a long day, people drifting along the promenade or laughing together on the sand. Watching everyone simply be – it’s my favourite.
“We did a rescue together a few years ago that I’ll never forget… It was winter, the wind was cold, the water was freezing, and I was only in my undies with no rescue equipment.”
Whether from your balcony or from the soft sand after an early morning group session, you’ve jumped into some absolutely treacherous conditions to help rescue people from the ocean on multiple occasions. While you’re not a lifeguard, @reidy__’s described you as “one of the best boys in the business”, and you’re widely known as one of the best local watermen. In those moments where you’ve seen someone in serious trouble, what goes through your mind?
First of all, Reidy’s a great guy, an awesome lifeguard, and a great friend of mine. We did a rescue together a few years ago that I’ll never forget.
We’d just finished, or were about to finish, one of our Bronte Beach Fit sessions and were walking back from Tama when I saw a lady in serious trouble out in the surf. The ocean was huge that day. It was winter, the wind was cold, the water was freezing, and I was only in my undies with no rescue equipment. I just remember swimming out, going under wave after wave, trying to move as fast as I could—but not so fast that I’d run out of breath.
The whole time I was thinking tactically. I knew that if I got to her and she panicked, there was a chance she’d try to pull me under with her, so I needed to have something left in the tank. I had to get there quickly, but I also had to get there ready.
When I finally reached her, she was completely exhausted. She was going under for what I think would have been the last time. Luckily, she had nothing left to fight with and I was able to keep her afloat.
The strange thing is, once I got to her, I knew she was going to be okay. There was never any thought of being brave or anything like that. It was just, “Right, I’ve got you now.”
Then the other lifeguards, Wally and Harry, took over and got her safely back to shore. I was just grateful I got there in time.
Bronte. What does it mean to you? What feeling does it give you?
Bronte means everything to me.
It’s where life has given me so much — my favourite sports, lifelong friends, mentors and the opportunity to build my business doing something I love. Just up the road from Bronte I met the mother of my son, and he’s everything to me.
When I think about Bronte, I don’t just think about a beach or a suburb. I think about family, community, adventure, and all the moments that have shaped who I am. It’s been the backdrop to the best parts of my life, and for that I’ll always be grateful.
If you could share a surf or a yarn with any Bronte or Bondi local (past or present) who would you love to pick?
I’d choose my grandmother and grandfather.
The whole reason I live in Bronte is because they moved there decades ago. I’d love to sit down with them and ask why they chose Bronte, what it meant to them, and whether they had any idea how much that one decision would shape the lives of future generations.
I’d love to tell them that because of their choice, I grew up in the ocean, built my business there, raised my family there, and created a life that I absolutely love. I think that would be a pretty special conversation.
It’s Friday arvo, and you’re parked up at Salty’s for knock offs with the Bronte Beach Fit crew. What are we ordering?
That’s an easy one — a Big Kahuna.
It’s basically a giant fishbowl with a margarita base and a little bottle of Corona stuck in the top. It sounds like something that shouldn’t work, but somehow it does.
And fair warning: it has a habit of getting you where you’re going a lot faster than you planned.
Keen to get a share of Troy’s camaraderie and encouragement?
Get involved with the Bronte Beach Fit crew.
