Owen Wright knocks Kelly Slater out of Rip Curl Pro
Wonder kid Owen Wright proved yesterday that he is on track for a successful ASP World Tour career by taking down 9 times World Champion, Kelly Slater in pumping four to six-foot waves at Bells Beach.
Owen, 19, who received a sponsor wildcard for the event took down the 2008 ASP Rookie of the Year Dane Reynolds in round 1, only to face Slater in round 2.
“I am really happy,” Wright said. “It has been a long week waiting to surf against Kelly Slater. I have just been relishing it and waiting for it. Out there, I just stayed on my own game and really just concentrated on what I was doing. I just got the set waves and surfed them, then the ocean went flat at the end and I kept the win.”
Wright opened his account and took the lead early scoring a 7.67 out of 10 for his first wave. Kelly then quickly responded with 2 waves, scoring a 7.00 and then backing it up with a 6.17 to reclaim the lead. Owen now needing a 5.25 to get back on top scored a second wave score of 7.00 to have a combined total of 14.67 leaving Kelly in second place with 13.83 and unable to find a wave.
“I’ll be taking a lot of confidence into my next heat,” Wright said. “I am just rapt with that heat and really happy to get one over Kelly Slater. There won’t be many chances like that one to come around.”
Owen now faces South African Jordy Smith in his round 3 match-up, which is sure to be a firecracker of a heat.
Owen Wright-
State your full name
Owen Wright
Date of Birth
16th Jan 1990
Conception between you and the ocean (when did you start surfing??)
Started surfing when I was about 5. Dad chucked me out on this small foam board down at the local at Culburra, water was freezing but lucky I had a damn good steamer on..Haha.
So at the age of 16 your out at Pipe, one of the most gnarly waves in the world, combining it with the dux guts of the surfing elite. How did you feel?
Actually I would’ve been about 14 I think, but my first real experience I was 15. That’s when I got my first really big barrel wave.
What was the feeling running through your head paddling into the first wave?
Um, just froth really I was paddling around all over the place just stoked to be out there. It wasn’t like I had lots of time to paddle into one I was just waiting for someone to pull back so I could go. I was looking at the bottom hoping I was not going to keep going, just managed to pull it round and not nosedive. Pulled into the barrel and got the sickest tube!
So, you pretty much have the reputation of being the ‘next big thing out of Australia’ do you feel the pressure of having to live up to that, or do you just do your own thing?
Really, do I?
Yeah man!!!
Well, I want to be that guy I do want to be the next big thing! I want to live up to everyone’s expectations. But at the end of the day you got to want to do it for yourself and im really focused on that. I mostly want to be a part of the whole CT thing and surf perfect waves!
Do you feel like you have to be at the standard of guys older than you like Jordy and Dane?
Oh, I don’t think im at the same standard as those guys at all yet, but im working on it everyday, getting stronger and more powerful in my surfing that’s where those guys have got it over me at the minute.
Alright, lets get off the competitive topic. You have an unlimited amount of money, 2 weeks, and 6 buddies. Where would you go and what would you do? Gimmie your ultimate trip away. Surf Trip or The Vegas, baby?
Ha! Ha! Probably a surf trip, probably to Bali or a boat trip, I love Bali! Actually I’d go to Ulus for sure. I’d pay the surf gods to make it 6-8ft everyday and put on a real good show.
You’ve had the opportunity to surf pretty much every hot spot wave in the world. Any place you haven’t been yet that you are hanging to get to?
I don’t know, I’ve been pretty spoilt of late. Been getting some really sick waves around Bells and a few little secret spots. Just scored epic Straddie (Stradbroke Island, north of the Gold Coast).
I haven’t really though about any other places …... Actually the Mentawis, haven’t been there yet!
Now, it’s time to talk ladies, you got one? Or like many pro juniors, you got your player cap on?
Nope, im single.
Ha! Ha! Im not a player, well, I try not too play around, but I do like to have a good time. Ha ha!
Do you flash the coin around to sweeten the deal or are you all about the Owie charm?
Nah, its all about the Owie charm. Not the coin, that’s gross..
So, the future, what’s on the cards for Owen Wright? WCT prodigy in the making? World title aspirations? Or throw the whole scene in for a house and free-surfing career in the ‘Burra?
Of course the World Title, That is the ultimate goal. But in the short-term im just focused on doing well on the Pro Junior circuit.
And you’ve just taken out the Boost Surf Sho in Surfers Paradise, what was that like?
It was awesome, I had to surf from the start because I actually didn’t get into the event at the start and I had to win the juniors to get in. Which luckily for me, I did. So I got the wildcard into the main event!
And then the next day I just tried to surf as hard as I could against the big guys like Mick, Taj, Kerrsy (Josh Kerr). The wave just had these great launch sections and it was just so fun. Was so stoked to win it!
Mate, let’s wrap this thing up with a punchy comment. Owen Wright, tell the world something they don’t know about you.
Ha! Um, I dunno. I don’t even know myself. Um, what don’t they know about me. Alright well people still think im a vego, it’s a pretty shit one but heaps of people still think I am. Not very exciting but there you go... haha
If you like Owen Wrigt then go to Surfeyes.com and purchase the new Dragon Fame Sunglasses
Over the Easter break D.Payne got more than just the surprise chocolate eggs… The bugger has just walked away with a $50,000 prize packet for busting one hell of an air-reverse in Indo…
The Kustom Air Strike runs the competition to find the best Pro who can punt like no other. In an interview with Stab magazine on the night he won, Dusty revealed that this boost came the day after he collected $20,000 from winning the Pro Junior Global Challenge. So hungover as hell he went for a little paddle at Keramas. First wave he fell, second wave pulled this thing….
If only normal people could surf like that after a hefty night on sauce.
Dusty Payne-
AKA "I make it rain bitches"
Nickname: Crusty
Sponsors: Dragon, Volcom, Body Glove, Creatures of Leisure, Hi Tech, Bill Johnson Surfboards
Favorite Glasses: Your Mom's,haha
Music: Cant wait for the new Backstreet Boys album. They are all very dreamy.
Sponsors: Osiris, Metal Mulisha, Lost Clothing, Boost Mobile, Dragon, FMF, RG3 Suspension, Lost Energy
Other Sports and Hobbies: Surfing BIG waves
Music: Anything hard and fast..
Movie: The Big Lebowskit
Food: Anything Vegan
Car: Ford
Quote: "Your life is what you make it"
Career Highlights: ...
2006 6th X-Games Best Trick
2005 2nd Winter X-Games Best Trick
SCORE San Felipe 250, ON March 15 - Jeff "OX" Kargola, recived the call of a lifetime two weeks ago when JCR/Honda’s Johnny Campbell made the introducing Jeff to their SCORE San Felipe 250 race effort. Ox who is known more for his FMX skills than his racing prowess, was eager to jump at the opportunity.
With teammates Colton Udall and Quinn Cody, Ox made the most of the once in a lifetime opportunity, he was leading for most of the race. Ultimately they had to settle for a well earned 2nd place to the JCR/Honda A team of Kendall Norman and Timmy Weigand.
NBC was all over the place and caught all the action, tension and excitement of the race. Set your DVR's to NBC's Sunday April 26th telecast of the "Jeep World of Adventure Sports" so you don't miss a thing.
If you like Jeff Kargola then go to Surfeyes.com and purchase sunglasses from the new 2009 Collection, like the new Dragon Wormser Sunglasses, or any other sunglasses.
Philipines’ Camsur Watersports Complex along with the WWA put together an amazing 4-day wake event with many of the world’s best riders including Dragon’s very own JD Webb.
Consisting of multiple divisions riders took to the water in efforts to win a spot on the podium and cash prizes and with so many talented riders the judges were going to have a tough time crowning a winner.
But in the end Webb managed to grab himself an outstanding 2nd place finish in the Obstacle-Only division of the CWC Rail Park Contest as well as a 4th Place finish in the Pro Men’s Rail Park Contest.
Congrats JD!
-JD Webb
Date of Birth: 04.27.87
Age: 21
Hometown: Anna Maria Island, Florida
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 180 lbs.
Career Highlights
2008: Pro Wakeboard Tour: Reno - 2nd
2008: Pro Wakeboard Tour: Acworth - 2nd
2008: Pro Wakeboard Tour: Phoenix - 3rd
2007: WWA World Championships - 2nd
2007: Pro Wakeboard Tour: Acworth - 3rd
2006: Pro Wakeboard Tour: Twin Cities - 3rd
2006: Pro Wakeboard Tour: Acworth - 2nd
2006: Pro-Am Wakeboard Championships - 2nd
2004: Pro Wakeboard Tour: Kelowna - 1st
2004: Rookie of the Year
If you like JD Webb then go to Surfeyes.com and buy the all new 2009 collection. like the Dragon Brigade Sunglasses,, and other sunglasses in the 2009 collection.
