Owen Wright has accepted a wildcard spot on the 2017 World Surf League Championship Tour after being out for more than a year following a career-threatening brain injury sustained while surfing the Pipeline in Hawaii in December 2015.
The Australian surfer made his return to competition at the Maitland and Port Stephens Pro in his home state of New South Wales in February, having been cleared by WSL doctors to do so.
“That felt amazing,” Wright said afterwards. “There was nothing I wanted to do more then go out there and smash a few waves and I got to do it and I was so stoked.”
Wright, 27, will rejoin the Championship Tour at the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast, starting on 14 March.
After his injury in 2015, Wright suffered memory and function loss and did not get back on a board for four months. Even then, he found it difficult and former pro surfer Luke Munro said it was like Wright “had to learn how to surf all over again”.
“It was no doubt the hardest year of my life and the biggest rollercoaster,” Wright said. “I’m on the other side of it now and I feel better and stronger and more excited to have this rash shirt on again to compete.”
Bring on 2017. Im excited to say I have officially accepted the injury wildcard from the @wsl . Can't wait to make … pic.twitter.com/EICjE7hnHJ
— Owen Wright (@RealOwenWright) March 7, 2017
In announcing his return to the WSL tour, Wright said “I’m so thankful for the support of my friends and family, my sponsors, the WSL and all the people in the community who sent positive thoughts to me throughout my recovery.
“I’m feeling stronger every day and I’m very much looking forward to returning to the tour and further honing my fitness and surfing throughout the 2017 season.”
