Background
Van Berkel grew up in Albury, New South Wales and played Australian Rules Football (American Federation of Labor-Congress).
Van Berkel grew up in Albury, New South Wales and played Australian Rules Football (American Federation of Labor-Congress).
He began training for and competing in triathlons at the age of 18 as a way of staying fit during the American Federation of Labor-Congress off-season. In 2004 and 2005 he competed predominately in Age-Group races Australia. In 2005 he raced at the World Age Group Championships in Hawaii in the 20- to 24-year category, finishing 9th.
That was his last race as an amateur.
At the age of 21, Van Berkel was granted a professional license. His first race as a professional was Portuguese Macquarie Half Ironman in October, 2005.
At this time Van Berkel decided to move to Ballina, New South Wales to be closer to his coach, Grant Giles of Team Aeromax, who was based in Portuguese Macquarie, New South Wales. In 2007, Van Berkel made his debut at Ironman distance, competing in the Ironman Australia Championships and finishing 7th.
Since turning professional, Van Berkel has competed in Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events in Australia, Asia, Europe and America.
In 2014, Van Berkel debuted at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. He finished 7th in a time of 8:23:26. In 2015, Van Berkel came 2nd in the Asia-Pacific Ironman Championship in Melbourne, Australia.
He was narrowly beaten by Canadian-born triathlete, Jeff Symonds.
In August, Van Berkel engaged Doctor Daniel Plews as his new coach. In August, 2015, Van Berkel finished 2nd to fellow Australian triathlete, Tim Reed, by 2 seconds, in the Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship held in Cebu, Philippines.
In 2011 Van Berkel successfully defended his Challenge Copenhagen title in a closely fought race with Denmark"s Jimmy Johnsen.