Swim star’s home a freestyle stunner
OLYMPIC and Commonwealth Games medallist Samantha Riley’s Gold Coast family house is about to go on the auction block.
It comes four weeks after a $2.34 million dollar lawsuit was launched against the former champion over the sale of one of her swim schools.
Her company, Sam Riley Promotions (SRP), is accused of breaching an agreement to train the owner and staff of a company which bought the business in 2014, and assist him for six months.
She operates two Sam Riley Swim Schools at Mt Gravatt East and North Lakes.
CoreLogic property records show Ms Riley and husband Tim Fydler bought the Burleigh Waters residence for $1.25 million in 2006.
“Sam and I have three boys and it’s been a great family house, we wanted a big block close to Burleigh beach,” said Mr Fydler, an ironman turned businessman. “We can ride the bikes to the beach, and there’s space for the kids to be outside and also on the water.”
The couple bought the home off a local builder.
It had already had a major renovation, but over the years the family made “lifestyle” changes, adding a gym, crisp white designer kitchen, a butler’s pantry, solar panels, barbecue area and revamped every bathroom bar one.
A feature fireplace and tropical fish tank offer bonus design points, while polished timber floors and tiles make for easy care living.
The house overlooks 67m of sandy water frontage, and there’s a sport practice area.
“It’s now a real entertainer, we’ve had everyone around to enjoy the space and the waterfront, with the boat running around out the back for the kids,” said Mr Fydler.
The huge waterfront alfresco terrace wraps around the home and features an outdoor kitchen and pizza oven, and encompasses a pool befitting a champion.
Now their boys are older, the family is downsizing and moving closer to the beach.
“When you clean the house up and get it ready for sale, it makes you think, ‘why are we selling’,” said Mr Fydler. “We’ve been happy in that house for a long time, but we’re looking forward to the next part of our lives.”