Wes Berg Breaks Neck at Burleigh

Veteran Ironman Wes Berg, the man that Joel Parkinson considers an integral part of his 2012 world title, broke his neck yesterday. Berg was surfing what he described as, “pumping Burleigh,” when he went head first into the sandback. He broke his C4 and C5, but has full movement and is expected to make a full recovery.

Well wishers from the surfing fraternity, everyone from Ryan Hipwood to Shawn Dollar (who experienced a similar injury earlier in the year), descended on Berg’s Instagram to show their support. Berg said that he considers himself, “super lucky and grateful,” and that not being able to move his left arm immediately after the accident was, “the scariest moment of my life.”

This is how Parko brought in the New Year. Standing tall at pumping Snapper.

Berg was the man charged with bringing Parko up to the elite fitness level established by Mick Fanning. The pair got the ultimate reward for all their hard work in 2012 when Parko won the World Title. “In twenty twelve being world champion definitely wouldn’t have happened without Wes,” said Parkinson last year.