Owen Wright has racked up a huge collection of accolades. Seeing how he has dominated the waves for more than a decade now, he’s not just a professional athlete, but he’s also considered a surfing legend. The 34-year-old even defeated a severe brain injury he suffered in 2015. While coming back from that wasn’t a cakewalk, he made a triumphant return to the sport. The surfer even went on to clinch Australia’s first surfing medal during the sport’s debut at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Coming over challenges is clearly not new to the Olympian. After the traumatic injury, he could barely walk, had slowed speech, and more. The surfer had to learn everything from scratch and was even uncertain about returning to the sport he loved. Well, he did, but the year 2023 also saw him bid his final goodbye to his much beloved sport, at least in the professional sense. However, he had been silently battling with another challenge over the last couple of years.

On 14 October, the surfer shared a video of himself and his father, Robert Wright, in his car. “We’re down here at Boulders, poppy’s favorite wave,” Owen Wright stated in the video. His father surfed those waves so long, the Olympian struggled to remember how long it’s been. But why were they at the beach? The surfer continued, “He was still surfing here three years ago. And five years ago, he got diagnosed with dementia.” The family had no inkling, even though his father did. But even after the diagnosis, the senior Wright didn’t let go of his love for the waves.

This was their last outing together. “And today, we’ve come down to Boulders to say see you later to Boulders because we’re off to the Home today. We’re taking him to the nursing home to get some better care.” The 35-year-old and his family had been looking after him through the years. Through the regression, his father slowly lost the ability to walk, was nonverbal, had to be fed, and couldn’t comprehend much. In the surfer’s heartbreaking caption, he confessed, “His wish was to stay out of a nursing home and we did that as long as possible but dementia gets to a place where you need a team of professionals to care for them.” 

Owen Wright reiterated how his father never wanted to go to one of those places, but there wasn’t much he could do to stop it from happening. There were several things he wasn’t aware of when Robert was first diagnosed. “I thought it was just memory, and seeing how far it goes is quite shocking,” he stated. While this harrowing experience has been emotionally draining for him, he couldn’t imagine not doing it for his parents.

“And I guess today is a big day for us, hey Poppy? We’ll put you into the home, get some care, get some nurses around and maybe meet some new people,” he exclaimed optimistically. As the surfer turns the camera to the waves, his father looks over, making him break into a smile. Reminiscing about all the good and bad times, the Olympian finally ends it with, “So, it’s been a pleasure. It’s been a wild ride, for sure.” Robert Wright, understandably, has been a huge part of the surfer’s life, and fans were left reeling from his update. 

Owen Wright’s heartbreaking confession has the surfing community grieving

This isn’t the first time the 35-year-old has worn his heart on his sleeve. On January 8, he shared a carousel of images and videos of his son and himself surfing. In his caption, he opened up about why this is special. “One of the best memories of my childhood was dad picking me up from school in his work Ute and taking me surfing. Feels nice to treat my son with the same experience.” But since the diagnosis, things have changed, and many fans are understandably heartbroken. 

One fan confessed, “Sending you love. This did trigger me, I burst into tears…it is a process, that broke me, held me up, showed me compassion & grace that I never realized I needed, taught me how to love, in a different way. The lessons seem endless as I write this through tears, and missing my father, but knowing I stood by him through a kind of hell, he didn’t even realize he was going through. It somehow showed me a light, in a very dark time, somehow.” Dementia can be an harrowing experience for everyone involved. 

Owen Wright has talked about how this experience was just as grueling for him. Watching someone he loved change into a completely different person was very defeating. But he learned to come to terms with it and instead chose to celebrate the rest of his life as it is. It possibly is something this fan experienced too.

Another fan stated, “I know this feeling all too well. It’s such a tough disease. Ambiguous loss is real. You’ve done an amazing job caring for your Dad. Sending love your way 🙏❤️” It is never easy battling a disease that has no cure, but watching moments like this could tug anyone’s heartstrings. A fan agreed, “Oh, O.. this made me cry seeing your Dad like this, and saying his last goodbye to boulders… your an incredible human taking care of your Dad, love ya 🤍“ Robert Wright may not be himself now, but many reassured him that this meant so much to his father. 

Over the years, Owen Wright has sparsely posted images of his father on social media. However, many of them have been when he was hearty and still himself. The first image he posted of Robert while battling dementia was this year on Father’s Day. But the surfer has never shied away from pouring his heart out about how difficult their journey has been so far.

One fan shared their own experience: “On ya O. the reality of it all is tough and the unknown is hard to prepare for. Our family went through this with our grandma and my sis and I again very similar with our dad and brain cancer, so this hits home. Thanks for sharing and helping others with a little more understanding. Sending love and positivity ❤️🙏🙏” The surfer painted an equally painful caption alongside his video, talking about everything they have been through so far. 

Before Robert was diagnosed, Owen Wright had no prior experience with the disease. But over the years, he discovered and learned as it continued to regress. The 35-year-old wanted to share his experience. Why? So other people would be better equipped if they ever had to experience it themselves. He even tagged Dementia Australia’s Instagram handle in case anyone wanted to look up the information further.

Another fan exclaimed, “Your old boy shaped you into an elite. I remember seeing him on the beach at the Aussie titles and pro juniors while you shredded it to peices. So much dedication and commitment. He’s in good hands having a son like you❤️🙏🙏” The Olympian’s parents understood what it takes to become one of the greatest in the sport and never stopped supporting him. 

In his book Against the Water, Owen Wright elaborated on how Robert helped him grow. “My dad did so many things that clearly got great results. That relationship was the reason I surfed, it was the reason I pushed, it was the reason I rebelled, it was the reason I pushed again. It’s part of the reason I’ve retired. And it’s part of the reason I made it back out of the head injury.” The two share a special bond, and as challenging as the experience has been, it definitely brought them closer. More strength to the Olympian and his family.