Fears surround Owen Wright’s health after he was hospitalised in December

SERIOUS concerns surround the health of 2015 surfing world title contender Owen Wright, it is understood he lost control of his speech and body movements.

Owen Wright of Lennox Head, NSW, Australia (pictured) gives the double peace sign while surfing inside a huge barrel during Round 5 of the Billabong Pro Tahiti on Monday August 28, 2014. Wright scored a perfect 10 (out of a possible 10) to win his heat over Brett Simpson and has advanced into the Quarterfinals. The Billabong Pro Tahiti will crown a champion later today. Pic: Kirstin Scholtz / ASP

SERIOUS concerns surround the health of 2015 surfing world title contender, Owen Wright.

The 26-year-old was smashed by massive waves at Pipeline during a free surf in December.

After making it safely to shore, it is understood he lost control of his speech and body movements and was hospitalised in Hawaii.

Fears that Wright is still having trouble speaking and even standing have spread throughout tight-lipped surfing community.

Surfer Owen Wright after scoring an unprecedented two perfect 20 heats at the Fiji Pro. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Wright’s injury flew under the radar, eclipsed by the news of the death of Mick Fanning’s brother and Bede Durbidge seriously fracturing his pelvis in the days following his injury.

Wright, who has connections to the Gold Coast, Lennox and Gerringong, described his brain injury as “traumatic“ and revealed he was still struggling with amnesia just last week.

Bede Durbidge at his annual grom camp, but this time he was in his wheelchair. Picture John Gass

“It feels great to know what I did yesterday,” he joked on social media.

Wright has remained upbeat on social media but has not revealed the extent of his injuries.

When approached by the Gold Coast Bulletin, the World Surfing League said it did not want to make any comment.

Barrel-riding demon Owen Wright on a terrifying wave at the shallow surf break known as 'The Box' to score a Perfect 10 score during Round 2 of the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro in Western Australia.

Wright’s sponsors at Rip Curl were equally cagey, saying no comment would be made until after a meeting with medical specialists and more was known about his injuries.

Fellow Australian tour competition Matt Wilkinson was in the water and was hit with the same set of waves that hospitalised his mate.

“He came in and felt weird and couldn’t really speak or anything,” Wilkinson said after the beating.

“It was like his body was completely out of fuel — it was pretty scary looking.”

The first leg of the 2016 World Championship Tour kicks off with the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast in March.

If Wright is not fit to surf the opening round, it is understood his fellow Lennox-Ballina Boardriders clubmates Adam Melling and Stuart Kennedy will be given wildcards as Durbidge is also expected to be ruled out.