Australian natural-footer Troy Denholm joins the Surfing Doctors and is lined up to attend the Surfing Doctors Wavepool Wellness Conference 2026 at the URBNSurf Melbourne pool.
Nationality:
Australian
Education and Work Experience
I grew up in Tasmania and initially started out studying physiotherapy at Newcastle University. Before long, though, I realised medicine was where I wanted to be and rolled straight into the JMP at Newcastle as well.
After graduating, I moved up to Kingscliff for my intern year at Tweed Valley Hospital. The shift north has brought new waves, new colleagues and a fresh professional chapter.
Medical Interests: Finding a Niche
I keep circling back to the same idea that critical care might be for me. There is something about the pace, complexity and decision-making that feels right.
As an intern, I am excited to get stuck into Emergency Department work and am hoping to secure an anaesthetics or ICU rotation during my RMO year. I am also increasingly interested in retrieval medicine and the pathways into that field, particularly now that I have learned rural generalists can become involved as well. The blend of acute care and broader scope practice is appealing.
Local Surf Spot
I have only just moved to the Kingscliff area, so earning recognition as a Cabarita local might take some time. Coming from Tassie, I was used to driving at least 30 minutes for a wave, so I am looking forward to exploring what the Northern Rivers coastline has to offer.
Favourite Surf Destination
The Mentawais and the Maldives, for different reasons. Each delivers a completely different experience, and both have their own drawcards.
Travel Experience
Surf-focused trips:
Indo, including Krui, the Mentawais and Simeulue.
Samoa.
Maldives.
Other adventures:
Tanzania for an elective Emergency Department placement, with plenty of exploration across the region in between shifts.
Favourite Surf Trip
Filling a boat in the Mentawais in 2022 with 11 boys, all from the Apple Isle, will be hard to beat. That combination of good waves and good mates sets a high bar.
Worst Surf Trip
Simeulue. The flights were expensive and the waves were not much better than what we could find down the road in Newcastle. That said, the roads were excellent for a motorcycle tour.
Best Thing About Surfing
The drive to the beach fuelled with anticipation.
Early morning and late afternoon glass-offs.
And, above all, buddies.
Best Advice I’ve Been Given
Get under it.
Favourite Surfer
Jordy Smith, because he represents the tall timber.
Current Go-To Boards
A 6’3 and a 7’0 from local Newcastle shaper Stuey Martin.
A 6’2 MR twin + 1.
@troydenholm
See more: Dr Chapman in G-land