Owen Wright has the barrel riding skill and an aerial attack most surfers can only dream of. The Ozzy pro surfer was ranked No. 5 in the world last year and was the first to post two perfect scores in one single event (Round 5 and the final of the 2015 Fiji Pro). Despite his promising climb up the ranks, Owen took a heavy knock on the North Shore of Hawaii last year, making headlines and the surf world hold their breath. Since his serious December 2015 head injury at Pipeline, we’ve all been anticipating ‘the big comeback’. However, great things, like great blows to the cranium, take time to bounce back.
Owen has just officially withdrawn from the second half of the World Surf League Championship Tour season, choosing to focus on continued rehabilitation. Arguably one of the most likeable dude’s on tour and a strong world title contender (when fit), it’s safe to say that surf fans, the WSL, and even the waves are having Wright withdrawals…
We wish Owen a speedy recovery, so that him and us both can get our fix once more. See below press release from Rip Curl Media for full / official details:
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Owen Wright Withdraws from Second Half of 2016 WSL Season
TORQUAY, Australia (Wednesday, July 20, 2016) – Owen Wright (AUS) has withdrawn from the second half of the 2016 Samsung Galaxy WSL Championship Tour season, choosing to focus on continued rehabilitation following his December head injury.
“It’s always difficult being away from the water for me,” Wright said. “It’s also a major challenge to give myself time to heal because I want to be back in the singlet so badly. That said, I understand that I have more rehabilitation ahead of me until that’s possible. I’m feeling better every day and I want to thank everyone for the support so far. I miss my friends and family on tour and I’m looking forward to seeing them all again soon. Thanks again for the support.”
A WSL Title contender in the 2015 race, Wright suffered a serious concussion in the leadup to the final event of the season, the Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons, at the world-famous Banzai Pipeline. A standout in the warm-up sessions ahead of the event, Wright was mowed down by a sizable swell on the morning of December 10 with the impact causing a serious head trauma. Withdrawing from both the event and the title race, Wright remained under medical observation in Hawaii before traveling back to Australia to receive ongoing treatment.
Prior to the start of the 2016 season, the Ozzy announced his withdrawal from the opening half of the year. While having made considerable progress in his rehabilitation, he has chosen to continue his road to recovery throughout the rest of the year before returning to the elite level of competition.
“Owen is one of the most impressive athletes to ever grace our sport and the WSL fully supports him taking the time he needs to return to 100%,” Kieren Perrow, WSL Commissioner, said. “He’s been sorely missed on tour this year, but I know that he’s in all our thoughts and we all look forward to seeing him healthy again and sharing the lineup with us.”
Wright’s WSL Top 34 position in the remaining events of the season – Tahiti, Trestles, France, Portugal and Pipeline – will be filled by first replacement Stuart Kennedy (AUS).
The 2016 Samsung Galaxy WSL Championship Tour has just completed Stop No. 6 of the season, the J-Bay Open, where three-time WSL Champion Mick Fanning (AUS) proved victorious in an emotional comeback appearance following last year’s shark attack.
*Lead Image: Owen Wright. Photo © WSL / Kirstin Scholtz
