Chat With A Ninja: Shaun Feuerriegel
This article first appeared in the October 2026 edition of the SSG Multisports newsletter.
1. How did you first find SSG Multisports, and what made you stick around at Suttons Beach?
I guess I didn’t really find SSG, I was lucky enough to be there when it all started.
I’d been casually swimming at Suttons Beach with Greg, Malcolm and a few others while we were part of Redcliffe Tri Club. We weren’t really training with the club at the time, so during those swims and catch-ups they started throwing around the crazy idea of creating a club of our own. Greg and Mal took those conversations and turned them into a reality, and it’s pretty incredible to see what SSG has become since then.
What’s kept me coming back to Suttons all these years is definitely the people.
It’s always been more than just training, we’ve got a really good group of people down there and I’ve made some really good mates along the way.
2. You have been part of the club for a long time. What does being one of the OGs mean to you, and how has SSG changed since those early days?
It means a lot to have been there when the club was first created and to see how much it’s grown year after year. It’s so good seeing more like-minded people joining, enjoying the swim, ride and run, and testing themselves across all different events.
The pre-swim group photo has definitely changed over the years from about five of us in the early days to the massive group we have now. It’s pretty awesome to look back and see how far the club has come.
3. What first pulled you into triathlon, and which discipline still feels most like home?
I’d just retired from playing semi-professional soccer and had two young kids, but I still wanted to keep fit and find a new challenge. Triathlon really suited me because I could train whenever it worked around family and work, and choose events that fit into our lifestyle.
Running still feels the most like home for me, probably because of my soccer background, but I definitely love getting out on the TT bike too.
4. You have raced everything from Bribie and the old Gatorade series through to Ironman Cairns and 70.3s. Is there one race or one moment that still stands out?
I’ve done a lot of events over the years, from the Bribie tris and Hervey Bay 100s through to 70.3s and Ironman, but there are a couple that really stand out.
The first would be my first Ironman in Cairns. I’d originally entered Port Macquarie, but with COVID the race was postponed and changed three times before I finally got to the start line in Cairns in September 2020. It meant months of training plans being constantly changed and pushed back, so just getting to race day felt like an achievement in itself. The whole journey was pretty special, and having my family there supporting me made it even better.
The second would be the Port Macquarie 70.3. I went into that one with no expectations and just wanted to have fun. I raced it from start to finish with my good mate Salmo, and we got to cheer on all the other SSG athletes out on course as well. It was just a really fun day of racing.
Ultra355 in Hervey Bay was another big one for me. That had been a bucket-list race for a long time, so getting to finally do it and complete it was pretty awesome.
5. You have a strong running background as well. How does that side of you show up in club training and on race day?
I’ve always felt comfortable running from my soccer background, and I genuinely enjoy it. I think that definitely helps me in triathlon because even when I get to the run exhausted from the swim and bike, it’s the part of the race I feel most confident in. I know I can settle into my pace, stay consistent and finish as strong as I can.
6. Can you share a favourite SSG memory, whether that is a swim, a ride, a race, or just a laugh with the crew?
I’ve got quite a few. The Port 70.3 I raced with Salmo and the team is definitely a standout, but another one that comes to mind is how far I came with swimming in those early years. I remember being really nervous about the 300m swim at one of my first Gatorade Triathlon Series races. Swimming was something I’d always had to work hard at and I definitely wasn’t comfortable with longer distances. Then years later, I somehow agreed to do the Qualm Swim with a small group from SSG, open water swimming from Sandgate across the bay to Woody Point, I think it was roughly 7km. Even agreeing to do it was a big challenge for me, so actually completing it with the crew is something I’ll always remember. Do epic shit.. right? haha
7. What do you enjoy most about the club’s culture, and how has the community helped you over the years?
I think what I enjoy most is that we really grew into the club as a whole family. Over the years SSG became a big part of our lives, and at a time when we didn’t have a lot of support around us, having that group of people there meant a lot, not just to me, but to our whole family. From a training point of view, having consistent groups to train with has also made it a lot more enjoyable.
8. For newer Ninjas who are still finding their feet, what advice would you give them?
Stay consistent and find a training plan that works with your lifestyle. It doesn’t matter how hard/easy or long/short the plan is, the best plan is the one you can actually stick to from start to finish.
9. Around the club you are sometimes known as Shaun Fury. Where did that name come from, and does it match how you race?
My wife wanted to make matching shirts for Ironman Cairns with “Team Feuerriegel” on the back, but she couldn’t fit the name, so she shortened it to “Team Fury” and it just stuck. It probably suits the way I race too. I’m a really relaxed person but I am very competitive and once I’m on the start line, I’m there to give it everything I’ve got.
10. Looking ahead, is there a race, a goal, or simply more time with the crew that you are most looking forward to?
Yeah look, after a couple of years off with injury, a lot of my focus has been on the kids and their sport. I’ve been coaching my son’s under-9s soccer and doing a lot more running and triathlon stuff with both of my kids, which I’ve really enjoyed.
But I’m definitely getting excited to get back into it myself now. I’m looking forward to this triathlon season with the kids and I’ll probably jump into a few races along the way too. I’m keen to start building my training back up again and just see where it takes me. I can definitely see another Ironman and a few other races in the future.
11. Is there anything else you would like SSG members to know, or any message you would like to share with the club?
Not really, haha. Most people who know me know I’m pretty quiet and usually just get on with what I’m doing. But I’m always happy to have a chat, and if anyone ever wants to ask me anything about training or racing, I’m always happy to help where I can. Hopefully you’ll see a bit more of me around again now that I’m getting back into training.
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