South Coast surfer Owen Wright has officially withdrawn from the remainder of the 2016 Men’s Championship Tour to focus on his recovery from a head injury.
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The Culburra local suffered serious head trauma after being battered by waves at last season’s Pipeline Masters.
Wright was in contention for the world title at the time but was forced to pull out of the event and the tour after receiving medical treatment.
He has continued his rehabilitation throughout 2016 and recently said he was ‘on the right track to 100% recovery’. The 26-year-old has officially withdrawn from the Tour so that can occur.
"It's always difficult being away from the water for me," Wright told the World Surf League website.
"It's also a major challenge to give myself time to heal because I want to be back in the singlet so badly.
“That said, I understand that I have more rehabilitation ahead of me until that's possible.
“I'm feeling better every day and I want to thank everyone for the support so far.
“I miss my friends and family on tour and I'm looking forward to seeing them all again soon.
“Thanks again for the support."
Wright had already withdrawn from the first half of the season and will now take a complete season to continue on the comeback trail.
His decision came with the full support of the World Surf League.
"Owen is one of the most impressive athletes to ever grace our sport and the WSL fully supports him taking the time he needs to return to 100 percent," World Surf League Commissioner Kieren Perrow told the organisation’s website.
"He's been sorely missed on tour this year, but I know that he's in all our thoughts and we all look forward to seeing him healthy again and sharing the lineup with us."
The decision comes a little less than a week before Wright’s younger sister Tyler continues her pursuit of the women’s world title.
The 2016 Women’s Championship Tour will make its sixth stop of the campaign on July 25 when they head to Huntington Beach, California for the US Open Of Surfing.
Tyler is currently ranked second in the world leading into the event behind US star Courtney Conlogue.
Conlogue’s fifth at the Fiji Pro saw her move to 37,700 ranking points for the season and was enough to see her pass Wright (36,950) to take a narrow lead.
Three-time world champion Carissa Moore (34,000) is hot on both surfers heals heading into the event.
Gerroa’s Sally Fitzgibbons (28,150) is in fifth.
