It’s Mike, not Mikey.

You’ll barely recognise this Wright. Yes, Mikey is 18, inked like a felon and oozing confidence. Thanks to Owen and Tyler, Mikey fell into comps because he thought he was supposed to. But he’s had the time, experience and corp-support to make a call and say nuh-uh to the jersey right now. “Comps are overrated,” he says. “When I was younger I definitely said I wanted to have a world title one day. Growing up now, things are changing… “I’ve watched Owen and Tyler and I’ve seen what they’ve done and I’ve had conversations with them both. Tyler said to me, ‘Hold off (on qualifying) as long as you can. You’re only young once. If I could’ve waited, I would’ve…’ And it’s been the same message from Owen.” His surfing couldn’t have benefited more and there’s a real 6’2”-and-alpha approach to his stroll now. Mikey Wright is less Mikey, and more Mike, and 18 never felt so alive. Read the complete feature in Stab issue 79, on sale now. Edit by Toby Cregan