The WSL has just revealed the 2022 season wildcards, formerly known as an injury wildcard, and they haven’t necessarily gone with the most objectively deserving of candidates. I mean, the WSL hasn’t done anything too dissimilar to previous years where they have operated as a business and favoured the surfer who will generate the most revenue instead of the surfer who may be the most objectively deserving of the position. Previous examples of commercial bias include Kelly Slater receiving the spot over Caio Ibelli in 2019. Kelly, the obvious favourite in the eyes of the WSL marketing team, missed 8 of the 11 events that year and copped criticism for surfing his Surf Ranch event (where he placed 3rd). Kelly notably chased swells across the globe that year despite withdrawing from events citing the foot injury he sustained at the 2017 J-Bay Open. Poor Caio suffered a serious injury at the Margeret River contest. He broke his leg while free surfing outside the event (maybe if he was in a singlet the call would have been different) and still got snubbed for the wildcard position. Previous wildcard spots influenced by star-appeal include Mikey Wright and his famous mullet and Dane Reynolds back in 2015, two of the more popular surfers in the world. Is it fair? No. Does it make sense? Yes.
The WSL hasn’t gone all 2019 on us with the wildcards this year. In fact, the recipients seem quite deserving for the most part. You have Kolohe Andino and Lakey Peterson receiving slots for legitimate injuries sustained last season, causing them to miss five events, respectively. The final two wildcard spots were handed to Owen Wright and Malia Manuel. Malia is the logical choice for the second female wildcard; she has close to 10 years of CT experience and was the first surfer outside the requalification cut off, so awarding her the spot seems valid. However, things get a bit contentious with Owen Wright’s wildcard. On the one hand, Owen had a fantastic competitive year (away from the WSL). He qualified to represent Australia at surfing’s inaugural Olympic games and used his long, wiry frame to out-grovel Medina in the lacklustre conditions at Tsurigasaki Beach and received a Bronze medal. A feat that will no doubt be his most memorable to date, especially after suffering a traumatic brain injury in 2015, leaving him struggling to walk, let alone surf. On the other hand, though, Owen had a bit of a shocker on tour this year. Owen finished equal 25th with Caio Ibelli and the requalification cut off is at 20, so he wasn’t exactly close to requalifying on his own steam. However, it would seem Owen has luck on his side this year with three surfers in the top 20 choosing to either retire or have a rest from competing, leaving just one surfer, Matthew McGillivray, ahead of him. The South African rookie didn’t exactly make an impact, but he still beat Owen.
So, with Owen, Matthew and Caio all having a similar claim to the wildcard slot, why did Owen get it? It seems simple, Owen brings in the most $$$ and interest and has a proven track record with multiple CT wins. You do have to feel for Caio Ibelli, though. He has missed out twice.
