Wright on for WSL’s event at Newcastle

SURFER Owen Wright has been cleared to paddle out at a World Surf League competition for the first time since a serious head injury ruled him out of world title contention in 2015.

The 27-year-old, who is an older brother of 2016 women’s world champion Tyler, has not surfed competitively since being smashed by a huge wave in December 2015 while practising for the Pipeline Masters in Hawaii.

The northern NSW-based surfer is set to compete in Newcastle on Monday after a recovering from a “scary” head injury which saw him lose control of his speech and body movements for a time.

“It’s been a long 14 months, but I’m feeling really good,” Wright said.

“It’s been awesome to get back in the water, and the idea of starting to compete again is pretty exciting. I can’t wait to hit the water at Newcastle.”

Wright has been offered an injury wildcard to compete this season which he has not yet accepted. If he does accept, it would mean the hard-charging goofy footer would compete at notoriously dangerous breaks in Fiji, Tahiti and Hawaii.

While a seeming lack of self-preservation defined his style before his injury Wright became a father for the first time in December to son, Vali, with partner Kita Alexander.

WSL Commissioner Kieren Perrow said whether Wright wanted to take up the wildcard for the 2017 CT season would be discussed after the event.

“Since his injury the WSL has worked closely with Wright, his physicians and the sport’s medical committee to ensure that if he were to return to competition, his health and wellbeing would take priority,” Perrow said.

“Owen has passed his own physician’s medical review and has received the WSL medical committee’s approval to compete in Newcastle.”