Owen Wright, 2014 Billabong Tahiti Pro. Photo: WSL / Kristin Schultz
Owen Wright is set to compete in his first competition since suffering a brain injury at Pipeline in December 2015. Wright has entered a Qualifying Series event, the Maitland and Port Stephens Toyota Pro, in Newcastle, Australia.
When the late-February contest window rolls around, viewers will get their first look at Wright in a jersey since the end of the 2015 Championship Tour. Wright sat out the entire 2016 season following his injury, which he suffered during a free surf in heavy Pipe conditions.
During his hiatus, Wright, 27, fathered a son with Aussie pop star Kita Alexander. He has largely been out of the media’s eye since the wipeout. Most of what surf fans know about his recovery has come from Wright’s own Instagram posts, and one interview with his world champion sister Tyler Wright.
Back in September, O-dog had this to say on the ‘Gram:
“Turned the biggest corner this wk with the head injury. It’s good to be feeling a lot more like myself again. Can’t believe how things change!”
At the moment, the goofy-footer is ranked 42nd on the Championship Tour ratings.
A look at how Wright’s life out of the water has changed since surf fans last saw him compete:
