Owen Wright has announced his retirement from competitive surfing, citing his desire to avoid “taking heavy water risks” in the wake of a 2015 brain injury suffered at Pipeline. “Over the years I’ve had a number of head injuries and concussions, and it’s gotten to a point where I need to prioritize my long term health,” he explained. Wright will make one final appearance at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach in April, where he will compete as a wildcard. He has enjoyed a decade-long career on the World Tour, including seven seasons ranked in the top ten, four career tour victories, and a bronze medal in the 2021 Summer Games. Wright’s 2015 injury forced him out of competition and he was unable to surf for some time afterwards. He returned in 2017 with a victory at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast and later won the Tahiti Pro Teahupo’o in 2019, earning a place on Australia’s Olympic surfing team. Wright’s retirement comes after he missed the mid-year cut in 2022 and stopped pursuing a return to the CT via CS requalification.
Moments of performance surfing alchemy abound during the six weeks of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, as the combination of surfing talent and quality waves crammed into this small stretch of coastline are unlike anywhere else in the world. While competitive glory is the main storyline of the VTCS, there are no shortage of moments of pure surfing bliss between the heats during the season. Owen Wright in a moment of personal glory at Pipeline. Photo: Mike Latronic