There’s plenty to gripe about with some of the silly calls made by the WSL. And well, we’re fans and it’s a league, so it’s sort of our job.

We care about surfing a lot and we appreciate that they allow us the opportunity to watch our favorite surfers rip all year at the world’s best waves, but yeah, we’re gonna be passionate about it. Just as the surfers are. And while there’s been a few growing pains the last few years, we’re still first to log on when they call it on.

Through the years we’ve been able to witness many perfect rides go down. The progression we’ve made over the years in competition has come a long way. Dudes and dudettes are launching themselves into the flats and over the ledge at any given moment. And no one has done that throughout their career quite like Owen Wright.

In 2015, following his record breaking season on tour, Owen suffered a severe injury at Pipeline. I’m not talking about a busted shoulder or a torn ACL like we see pretty often, but a much more severe injury to his brain with major TBI. Owen had to learn how to talk and walk again before even considering surfing.

And we all know what happened next. Owen came back as strong as ever. In fact, he won his first event back from injury and then went on to compete at surfing’s first ever Olympic Games in Japan and earn himself and Australia a bronze medal. You can read all about his story soon in his new book releasing August 2, Against the Water.

Since WSL announced Owen Wright’s retirement we decided to honor just how much of a mad man Owen Wright is with this week’s Best Sections of All-Time.

While we’re sad to see him call it a career, we’ve got nothing but respect in the way he has immortalized himself at the heaviest waves on Earth like Teahupoo and Fiji. He’s on the short list of guys who have surfed a perfect heat and is the first and maybe only surfer to have done it more than once in the same day. A day that anyone who witnessed it will never forget. I know because I was there and I can’t remember a lot of things I saw on tour, but I will never forget that series of rides from Owen.

You’ll see those perfect 10’s and many more in this section. It’s all of Owen’s perfect rides from his time on the Championship Tour backed by one of our favorite tracks by My Bloody Valentine that Jackson dropped into 12 Songs: Radio Obscura playlist.

Now let’s hope that Owen brings back the claws paint job on his quiver for his final lap around the track at Bells.—Brandon Guilmette

Owen made this statement in regards to his decision to leave competition:

"After my traumatic brain injury in 2015, my desire to prove to myself and the world that I could still be great and overcome this life-threatening incident inspired my recovery. Now eight years later, after challenges and accomplishments, I can look back happily, knowing I achieved that goal. Today, I am sharing the news that I will retire from competing at the highest level of surfing. My last event will be at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, where I look forward to celebrating my career and thanking my fans, friends, and family for all their support over the years.

"Given my recent history with head injuries and concussions, competing at some of the heaviest waves on the planet is no longer in the best interest of my long-term health. I excelled in these conditions over my career, but the risks associated with this type of surfing are too significant for someone in my position, given my medical history.

"I will not retire from surfing altogether - just from surfing heavy waves. I hope to keep surfing for the rest of my life; I love surfing and thank the sport for everything I have.”