A pair of surf sports stars are set to take a Sunshine Coast club to the next level.
Husband and wife Wes and Jade Berg have been appointed coaches of the Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Club, to fill the void left by ironman-turned-fireman Josh Minogue.
The pair have moved from the Gold Coast to Sunshine Beach with their children and they were excited start a new chapter of their lives in the region and with club members.
“I am incredibly excited to be part of such a family orientated club,” Wes said.
“This surf club is renowned for its community feel and it is the perfect fit for me and my family.
“The Sunshine Coast is a fabulous place to raise a family and my wife Jade and I are looking forward to immersing ourselves into the community and making this our home.”
Wes brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role, after a successful decade as the head coach of Burleigh Heads Surf Club. He was the former strength and conditioning coach to a number of high-profile professional surfers, including Joel Parkinson enroute to to his world title in 2012.
Wes boasts incredible knowledge of the surf, that he acquired as a racer in the professional Nutri-Grain Ironman Series for 22 years.
“Coaching and mentoring is my passion and I am so keen to return to the surf club environment and start working with the athletes and get them to the best of their ability,” he said.
“At the same time I want to work with them mentally and emotionally to ignite their spark for the ocean, training, competition and to enjoy what they do to be their best version.”
Jade Berg (nee Sutcliffe) also has an incredible racing repertoire.
She qualified for the Uncle Toby’s Super Series as a 17-year-old and claimed second place behind Ironwoman great Karla Gilbert in her third season.
She also claimed several Australian and state medals during her career and recently jumped back in the water for the 2021 Australian Masters Championships, winning a gold and silver medal.
Jade has maintained her connection with surf life saving through her roles as the nipper coach at Miami Beach Surf Club and, more recently, as the assistant coach at Burleigh Heads Surf Club.
She will be the assistant coach of Sunshine Beach, where she will be responsible for the Sunshine Beach Nipper surf program.
“I am incredibly excited to be the coach of the Sunshine Beach Nippers this season,” she said.
“I grew up as a nipper, falling in love with the ocean and learning skills that I have used my entire life.
“I can’t wait to share my knowledge with the kids this season and watch them flourish and grow.”
Wes and Jade will join a team that includes beach coaches Pauline Gleeson and Alice Jones and assistant and pool rescue coach Jarrad Greentree.
Club president Johnny Godderham welcomed the duo and said they would be valuable contributors.
“Having the Berg family join our club is a fabulous opportunity for our members,” he said.
“Both Jade and Wes are magnificent role models for both children and adults and their physical and mental training style is a bonus for us.
“Wes has an all-round attitude to training and his combined physical and mental approach is really appealing. He absolutely knows how to get the best out of people whilst always making it fun and engaging. He will be a brilliant mentor for our athletes.
“Jade is a fabulous addition and her passion for our youth is exciting, and it is great to have a female with Jade’s experience join the team.
“We are thrilled to have the Berg family join our community.”
“Both Wes and Jade will build on the amazing legacy of former Head Coach Josh Minogue, who left the role earlier in the year to pursue a career with the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, and they join a fabulous Beach and Pool Rescue coaching team.”
Wes and Jade will be joined on the Sunshine Coast by their three children, daughters Miller-May, 11, Billie, 9, and son Tally, 5.
The have a passion for the ocean and will join the club and participate in the Nipper program.
