Owen Wright and Bede Durbidge spent seven years competing against each other at the highest level of professional surfing. What started as a friendly rivalry grew into a deeper mateship as both athletes overcame serious injuries and rehabilitation together to revive their careers.

Since then, they’ve compiled incredible accolades. Owen on the competitive stage, and Bede as a mentor and coach. Recently, this camaraderie and fighting spirit saw the duo unite at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games to bring one of the first Olympic medals ever awarded in surfing home to Australian shores.

Bede (38) had already spent several years on the world tour before Owen (31) arrived. As a result, he has always represented a role model and mentor for Owen in the competitive arena. Coming runner up in 2008’s world title race to Kelly Slater, Bede’s stellar competitive career also collected the esteemed Hawaiian silverware of 2007’s Pipeline Masters trophy and the Vans Triple Crown.

Owen stormed the scene just after Bede’s career peaked. Establishing himself with a dominant Rookie of the Year performance in 2010, Wright then backed it up with a career best finish of number three in the world at the close of 2011.

But it was 2015 that looked to be Owen’s year. After putting on a clinic in huge, hollow waves at Fiji’s Cloudbreak to take a win with two perfect 10s, Owen continued his campaign in trademark style, charging solid waves of consequence in Tahiti. He looked to be the in-form surfer as the tour prepared for a classic title showdown at Pipeline.

Tragically for Owen, the world’s most dangerous wave lived up to its reputation during one of his training surfs leading into the competition. During a wipeout the day before the event, he sustained a traumatic brain injury that not only put him out of title contention, but into hospital with bleeding and swelling on the brain. Months later, still struggling to come to grips with his injury, Owen would often try to head off for a surf, despite barely being able to walk. On his journey through rehabilitation, Wright needed full-time care and assistance to relearn the basic skills of walking and talking, before even thinking about surfing again.

Pipeline claimed another victim that same fateful week, as Bede collided with the formidable reef during his round 3 heat, suffering an horrific hip compression that dealt two breaks to his pelvis. The surgery required installation of rods and screws to stabilise his body. Bede was wheelchair bound for a month, and like Owen, unable to compete in 2016.

“We were both going through our respective traumas,” recalls Wright, “there were some raw moments in there, and it was a big battle for us both to fight back from. We were at different stages in our careers, and I still had a lot to prove. Then Bede stepped into the coaching role at Surfing Australia. So, getting a medal at the Olympics became a shared goal.”

“We got to know each other on a much deeper level,” says Bede about the time the two athletes spent in hospital together, “because we were both pretty rock bottom and sharing our feelings. I’d known Owen for ages but rather than just talking about waves and the usual surfing or social conversation, we talked about a lot of deeper stuff.” Little did they know that this bond would help them attain Olympic glory years later.

When asked if this connection helped during the Irukandji’s Olympic campaign in Tokyo, Bede replies, “For sure. There are no barriers between us. No tip toeing around. We voice our opinions. Sometimes it takes a long time to make that connection and break through with someone, but between Owen and me it’s all honesty.”

“The level of trust was probably the biggest thing,” Owen confirms. “It would have been so different if Bede hadn’t been there. He was such a strong figure. He was tapping into the side of me that fights hard to perform. The way his head works strategically is a beautiful beast. He took a step back from his own career to coach and I know how hard he fights. So, I knew it meant a lot for both of us.”

While taking 2016 off to recover, Bede coached Hawaiian superstar, John John Florence, to his maiden world title. This success ignited a passion within Bede to help others achieve their potential. In 2017 he accepted the role of Elite Program Manager at Surfing Australia’s High-Performance Centre. After completing his swansong lap of the World Championship Tour, and proving that he could compete at Pipeline again, Bede shifted his energy into this new role, and set his sights on the Tokyo Olympics.

A medal was always the goal, but even with years of physical and mental preparation there was going to be world-class competition to overcome. In his ultimate Olympic moment, Owen found himself pitted against Brazilian powerhouse, and multiple world title winner, Gabriel Medina.

“That heat with Medina was such a big one,” says Bede. “But Owen was in a good groove and feeling all the emotion. He was very open to everything. Having such a different atmosphere and setting to the usual CT [Championship Tour] events helped fire him up.”

The focus in getting Owen on the podium was, “Trusting his preparation, reinforcing how much effort he’d put in and how far he’d come,” Bede explains. “The investment and sacrifice,” he continues. “The message was just to back himself and trust all that and go for it.” This strategy paid off, and Wright stood tall on the Olympic podium that day after triumphing over one of the most competitive surfers to ever pull on a jersey. The first Olympic bronze awarded in men’s surfing history was hung over Owen Wright’s neck for team Australia.

After taking time to process surfing’s inaugural year in the Olympics, Durbidge is not only thrilled, but astonished by just how powerful the experience was for everyone involved.

“The pride is unbelievable,” says Bede. “It’s what makes the Olympics so special. Nobody there is doing it for money or fame, it’s all about representing your nation.”

With their trademark #bringthesting hashtag and post-heat routine, the Irukandjis embraced the Olympic spirit wholeheartedly, and walked away as proud Aussies with rich experiences that will be cherished for a lifetime.

As for Owen, he’s already focused on the next Olympics. Wright has a formidable record at French Polynesia’s infamous reef break of Teahupo’o, where the 2024 Olympic surfing is scheduled to be held. “I’m 100% set on Tahiti,” says Wright. “I would love to be front and centre for Team Australia again and I know I’ve got the skills to bring home a medal there. It’s totally different from Japan because I was the underdog there. But the experience in Tokyo has given me confidence as I know that hard work pays off.”

From blood, sweat and tears at the Banzai Pipeline, to Olympic glory in Tokyo, Bede and Owen have built a lasting bond to go with their legacy. Surviving the toughest of trials to enjoy the greatest of triumphs, they’ve inspired the next generation of surfers while paving the way for future Olympians.

Brad Hutchins