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Owen Wright announced this morning on his Instagram that he’ll be retiring from professional surfing at the 2023 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach. In a show of good faith, the 33-year-old, who fell off the CT last year, has been awarded a wildcard into the iconic event by his long-time sponsor Rip Curl.

Wright shared on his social media that his brain injury was the main reason behind his retirement. He decided to prioritise his long-term health rather than grind it out on the Challenger Series for re-qualification. Owen will bow out after a remarkable 12-year competitive career at the highest level.  

As surf fans, we’ve worshipped the South Coast-raised surfer since clips were first released of him shredding beyond his years as a grom. Owen’s combination of spring-coiled power, tall-man style and fearlessness made him a fan favourite all around the world.

Owen turned pro in 2008 and quickly made a name for himself on the world stage. He would go on to win four CT events at New York, Cloudbreak, Gold Coast and Teahupo’o.  His win at the Quiksilver Pro New York earned him a US $300 000 first prize cheque, which is still the record for pro surfing’s biggest ever single pay day. The New York event was also one of three consecutive finals Owen surfed against Slater in 2011, the year Wright established himself as a genuine world title contender.    

Wright has written himself into the history books with more than just winner’s cheques. He was the first Australian to receive an Olympic medal in surfing with his third-place finish in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. When the ‘Big O’ was on he was on and he’s also the only surfer to score two perfect heats in the same CT event. Owen dropped a pair of 20/20s at Cloudbreak on his way to victory in 2015.

Later in the 2015 season Owen suffered a traumatic Brain injury in a wipeout at Pipeline, which would alter the trajectory of his surf career. The injury left him bedridden for three weeks in a paralytic state, and it was speculated to be a career-ending incident at the time. Despite the extent of the injury, Owen would go on to make an extraordinary comeback,  winning two CT events after his return to competition.

To this day, Owen suffers from the long-term effects associated with brain injuries. His medical team will tell him that waves like Pipe, Teahupoo and the Box are life threatening considering his condition. Owen is a renowned charger and heavy wave specialist who would find it hard not to go full throttle at these events once he pulled on a singlet. However, there are much bigger priorities than huge pits in Owen’s world today. He’s a husband to his wife Kita and father to two kids, Rumi and Vali.

The team at Tracks congratulates Owen on a fantastic competitive career and wishes him the best in retirement. As he embarks on a free surfing journey it’s not the last time we will see footage of his lanky frame blitzing through lips. 

Below are the words Owen shared on his Insta about his retirement.

“After my traumatic brain injury in 2015, my desire to prove to myself and the world that I could still be great and overcome this life-threatening incident inspired my recovery. Now eight years later, after challenges and accomplishments, I can look back happily, knowing I achieved that goal. Today, I am sharing the news that I will retire from competing at the highest level of surfing. My last event will be at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, where I look forward to celebrating my career and thanking my fans, friends, and family for all their support over the years.

“Given my recent history with head injuries and concussions, competing at some of the heaviest waves on the planet is no longer in the best interest of my long-term health. I excelled in these conditions over my career, but the risks associated with this type of surfing are too significant for someone in my position, given my medical history.

“I will not retire from surfing altogether – just from surfing heavy waves. I hope to keep surfing for the rest of my life; I love surfing and thank the sport for everything I have.

“I hope that in this new chapter of my life, I can help be a voice for brain health and an advocate for athletes across all sports who have suffered TBIs and concussions throughout their careers.

“The WSL and Rip Curl have offered me the wildcard at this year’s Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach. My family, medical team and I agreed that this would be the perfect location for me to compete for the last time before hanging up the rashie. Competing in front of my friends, family, and fans for the last time at Bells will be amazing.”