Bondi Rescue star Matt Dee farewelled in emotional paddle-out at Sydney’s Bronte Beach

A huge crowd has gathered on Sydney’s coast for an emotional paddle-out honouring former Bondi Rescue lifeguard Matt Dee following his sudden death .

Friends, family and fellow lifeguards came together at Bronte Beach on Saturday, where the 47-year-old’s ashes were scattered in the ocean.

Photos from the farewell show surfers forming a large circle in the water, where Dee spent almost a decade saving lives.

The crowd later continued celebrating Dee’s life with food, drinks and music.

News of Dee’s death was shared on Instagram on September 2, with his best friend Kev Goodall saying he was believed to have died from natural causes.

Goodall said the number of people who turned out on Saturday reflected just how loved Dee was.

“He always made you feel like he was everyone’s best mate,” Goodall said.

“He was a really well-loved, unique character. We just wanted to give him a good send-off that’s fit for the Pirate King.”

Dee became a beloved face on Australian television, appearing on Bondi Rescue from 2008 to 2017.

He has a YouTube page dedicated to him called The Most Aussie Lifeguard EVER? Best Of Matt Dee From Bondi Rescue, which has amassed more than three million followers across the globe.

Away from the TV screen, Dee was also a passionate and tireless mental health advocate.

Following his sudden death at the age of 47, an outpouring of grief from his former co-stars, friends and the local community highlighted the profound impact he had on those around him.

The surf club remembered his “infectious personality” and his ability to bring happiness to the lives of others.

But Dee was also candid about his own struggles, including the heavy guilt he carried following the deaths of his siblings.