Perhaps you aren't up-to-date on all the happenings in the 2009 Pro Junior series. Well, let me sum it up for you in two words: Owen Wright. SURFING recently caught up with him in Australia after he finished up win no. 3.
Three consecutive victories in the Pro Junior series. Congrats. What's the key to your success?
Thanks, well it's a hat-trick now but I guess the key was that I did a lot of training and surfing while I was in hawaii. I also had a lot of fun doing a bus trip up the east coast of Australia with some mates and my bro. We all had a hell time. I've been getting really good boards as well which has been a massive help!
What are your goals for 2009? Qualify via the WQS?
My goal is to go to the Mentawis Islands for the first time in my life - which I really want to do! I don't really have any goals for ratings and that but I'd love to do well in the comps that I go in.
Any plans to compete as a wildcard for any of the Rip Curl events on the WCT this year?
Yeah, Rip Curl gave me the wildcard into Bells which I'm so stoked about. I would be stoked to make some heats in that event I can't wait!
Is there any particular goofy that you looked up to growing up?
I'd definitly have to say Occy on his backhand was the guy that I looked up to. His backhand is unreal.
What's a typical day for you like at home?
Well I lived in Culburra my whole life, but I just moved to Lennox Head with my family and I'm loving it there! I would normally just wake up 'round 7am and cruise for a bit, I'd surf twice most days if not more, and there's always waves. I've been at Lennox for a month and there's been waves everyday. I've been hanging with Stuey Kennedy a bit playing Nintendo Wii - so fun!
What trips do you have planned in the immediate future?
For the next couple weeks I will be doing trips up and down the east coast (of Australia) filming and shooting with the Rip Curl crew and others.
What was the most difficult part of your North Shore experience this year - charging macking conditions or posing with topless models?
[laughs] well, I thought surfing big Pipe was hard until Rip Curl decided to get me to stand there in boardies with topless chicks! I was so stoked when I found out, and then I thought about it a little more and I was like shit! But I kept it under control [laughs]. Definitly difficult though!
Are you a Facebook or MySpace guy?
Neither. I made a new years resolution to stop going on Myspace or Facebook for a whole year and i did it! But I haven't been that into it since. I'm thinking about gettting Facebook.
What's the heaviest thing you've seen in the water recently?
Some tourists the other day that would of been at least 200kg - that's pretty heavy!