The Big Q&A with ironman Wes Berg
Wes Berg was the youngest ever male in the national ironman series and went on to compete for more than two decades. Despite family pain and a broken neck he will line up at the Aussies titles on the Gold Coast this week.
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Wes Berg was the youngest ever male in the national ironman series and went on to compete for more than two decades. Despite family pain and a broken neck he will line up at the Aussies titles on the Gold Coast this week.
STARTING OUT SLOW
Let’s go back to the beginning. You grew up in Sydney. What sort of lifestyle did you lead?
I was born in Bankstown and lived in Milperra. We had a family tragedy and I lost my brother (in a car accident) when I was eight so we moved to the South Coast. I remember from when I was about eight onwards and I was lucky enough to grow up on a farm. I joined the local surf club and it became my world. I became addicted to the ocean.
Your brother (Jason) and dad (Peter) played football for St George and your sister (Natasha) played reserve grade national basketball. So how did you get into nippers?
My whole family did nippers. It’s probably one of the best things you can get your kids involved in. I struggled as a nipper. I was always at the back but I really enjoyed it and loved the ocean. I played football like my dad and brother. They were obviously professional at it but I wasn’t. I struggled at that. I played a lot of basketball and made the New South Wales team. When I was 16 I had to make a decision which way I wanted to go down the ironman road or basketball road and I picked ironman.
BREAKING NEW GROUND
You debuted in the ironman series at age 16 in 1995/96 and were the youngest male to ever qualify. How was that first season competing against the big boys?
It was amazing. It was an incredible experience to be so young and part of something so special. I was fortunate to have great role models and guys to support me. Out of 32 in the series, I came 28th. On the day, my coach and dad said there are guys who have pulled out of this three-hour race. I remember in my first race, coming across the line, dead last and Trevor Hendy clapped me across the line. I thought it was pretty cool for a champion to come out of the tent after he’s raced and clap. The older guys thought it was really cool that a young kid from the South Coast could make a series like that.
Did you feel any pressure in those early stages of your career to go on with it and become a star after making it so young?
No way. Not at all. I thought of it as an opportunity to grow and explore. I loved going out there and challenging myself. I thrived on learning and being beaten. One of the things my father told me you need to lose the way you win and win the way you lose so I’ve taken that all the way through my 22 years of races.
ALL RESULTS CONSIDERED EQUAL
It’s not all about winning. But do you have a favourite victory or career highlight?
I take most podium finishes and victories the same. There were times at Portsea where I could have won the series but I got smashed by a 12-foot wave which my friends like to remind me of. Getting second to Ali Day over at Smiths Beach in Western Australia a few years ago was pretty special but some of the coolest memories is having my kids be able to see me race as well as my wife (former competitor Jade Sutcliffe). That’s been the most special, to have all my family there. Especially my last race and having about 150 of my family and friends there to cheer me on.
What about your first big Nutri-Grain ironman win in 2004 at Portsea?
It was pretty special. You’re investing in what you’re doing and what you love. But I’ve always had the outlook, after I lost my brother, of how lucky I am and that I have an able body. There’s a lot of other people out there who are worse off.
KEEPING THE PASSION
You’ve competed for a few surf clubs. Which one do you have the fondest memories at?
All the clubs I’ve raced for I’ve really enjoyed. Shoalhaven Heads will always be very close to my heart because it’s where I made my first series and grew up with friends that I still have today. I was at North Curl Curl in Sydney for two years with the same group of guys before we moved to Buili and created this awesome group which went on to win world, state and Australian championships. Then I moved to the Gold Coast and raced at Miami which was pretty much on my own because I didn’t want to join one of the bigger clubs. Then I had an opportunity to head down to Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park which has been really special because I’ve had the opportunity to coach and mentor and give back to the sport.
And what pulled you north to the Gold Coast?
When I was 23, all of the guys I raced with went on to retire and finish their university degrees. I was offered a sponsorship to come up to the Gold Coast for six months and train for the Coolangatta Gold when it made its return. One thing led to another and I decided to stay here.
Even with a family you have done a lot of coaching, training other athletes and other business. How do you fit it in?
I’ve got an amazing wife. We all love what we get to do and the opportunities we have. Everyone is busy these days but you just have to realise that this is life and you have to do the best with what we have. I love that we get to be around and see what our kids become whether that’s an athlete or just good people.
STAYING IN THE CONTEST
You competed in 21 ironman series and were the oldest guy on tour for a few years there. How did you stay at the top for so long?
It’s always motivating. I think it was because I’d been the youngest now I was the oldest so I had the opportunity to go through and learn the tricks of the trade. I knew my competitors, when to push and when to pull back. I had a great support crew which enabled me to keep doing what I was doing. I loved racing.
A long career means you’ve been able to compete against some of the greats. Who has inspired you the most?
I’ve had great challenges. From when I was younger and raced people like Trevor (Hendy). Racing against Zane Holmes has been incredible and Shannon Eckstein, Ky Hurst. Then blokes like Ali Day and Matt Poole. Every generation brings a new challenge whether it’s a great skier or swimmer. I remember racing Zane and Ky in the under-18 ironman so we had a really strong age group.
What did your weekly training schedule look like when you were at your peak?
It looked like a lot of fun. I tried to swim four times a week around 6km. I tried to ski paddle three times a week around 13-20km a session depending on the speed or long distance. With board paddling it was around that 10-11km session twice a week. I tried to do gym three times a week for 45 minutes and tried to run twice a week as well. It never felt like a chore. As you got older you had to make sure you’d prepared and trained.
DEFYING THE ODDS
On New Year’s day in 2016 you broke your neck in a surfing accident. How much of that day and moment do you remember?
I remember the whole thing. I paddled out at 4.30am. I tried to catch one wave and missed it so I paddled back out and tried to get a bit more speed but I went too high and got clipped at the top and fell down to the bottom. I went headfirst into a sandbar and broke my neck straight away. I was paralysed. Luckily, the current was pushing against my back and it actually sat me up so I could take a breath. I slowly got some movement back in my right hand and toes so I could pull myself onto my board and lift my chin out of the water to breath. I’d been training at Burleigh and knew the waves so I got a break into shore. I was fortunate. Someone was looking out for me.
You’ve been through a lot but how does this stack up?
One man is still in a wheelchair today with an injury nearly identical to mine. By biggest goal was to be able to pick up my kids again. My wife was four weeks away from having our third child. When she went into labour, she had to drive while I sat in the passenger seat. Today, I have a little bit of a numb sensation down my spine and if I get fatigued. my arm goes weak. I have a constant pain in my neck but it’s no issue compared to what other people go through. I was half way through the (Ocean6) series when I broke my neck. I decided I wanted to say goodbye on my own terms so I came back and used the last two races to qualify for the series.
COMPETITIVENESS BUT FAMILY FIRST
So you’re married to former ironwoman Jade Sutcliffe What’s it like being married to a fellow athlete? Is there any competitiveness among you two?
Oh my gosh. I raced for 22 years and I think Jade raced four years professionally and she has more wins in four years than I did in the 22. She’s more prestigious than I am. I think every race she entered, she got on the podium. But it’s amazing to have Jade because she understands and she’s so supportive. We work as a team and do everything from changing nappies to supporting each other. We’re both live a very active lifestyle and enjoy it.
You’ve raised a gorgeous family together. How soon did you get the kids into the water?
It’s natural for any water athlete to want to raise their kids the same way. My kids love the water. We want to give them the opportunities we had and also give them the skills we have so they’re safe in every scenario. It’s really cool to see your kids body surf a wave or stand up on a surf board.
Getting to know Wes Berg
Born: Sydney
Age: 39
Achievements:
■ Debuted in Nutri-Grain series in 1995-96 at 16 as the youngest male athlete to make the series.
■ Had 22 years in the professional series until his retirement in 2017, the longest run of any ironman.
■ Finished second to Ky Hurst in 2003 and third in 2007 behind Shannon Eckstein and Zane Holmes
■ Third in the Australian Ironman Championship in 2008
■ World board champion 2000
Clubs:
Shoalhaven Heads, Bulli, North Curl Curl, Miami, Burleigh
Beyond the surf:
■ Former coach at Burleigh Heads and Miami SLSC
■ Personal trainer for some of best surfing athletes in the world including Joel Parkinson
■ Vissla employee
■ Jayco ambassador
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