There is not much for me to say. Its amazing to see the outpouring of love and respect from the community over the passing of Andy Irons.
Would it be expected for any other famous athlete or celebrity?
Surely, plenty will mourn our stars, but this experience seemed so genuine and unique that I can only contemplate life and how one can have an effect on so many.
You should also check out the live webcast for the Reef Hawaiian Pro which is part of the Vans Triple Crown. We will be able to watch live video of the prime Hawaiian surf season for the next few weeks, with the best surfers in the world all isolated on a tiny rock in the middle of the great blue Pacific. http://triplecrownofsurfing.com/reefhawaiianpro/live
"Everyone had their own connection with Andy on so many different levels. He was a classic guy. Although he and I butted heads a lot years ago, I have a million good memories of Andy and we have become pretty good friends since."
"There aren't words to describe this. Unfortunately, I've been through this with friends and there's nothing that can make it better. You just have to feel it and process all those memories."
2X World Champion, Mick Fanning
"It was good having the paddle-out and getting everyone together. We're a surfing family. We all look out for each other. So just for us to paddle out and show our respects to
Andy, to his family, to all his friends on Kaui and Hawaii - it means a lot. We're all hurting right now and we're just wanting to pay our respects today."
"Andy was incredible. I think he was a person that always wore his heart on his sleeve. He didn't try to impress anyone. He was just all about what he wanted to do. He was an amazing competitor and an amazing friend. But I haven't just lost a friend here, I've lost my brother. It's hard to take."
4X World Champion, Stephanie Gilmore
"Andy in particular was an amazing guy. He was one of the most beautiful human-beings. Such an incredible competitor, but always so gentle and so kind. He always gave you the time of day. No matter where you were or how busy he was, he'd stop and say hi and ask how you were going. He's going to be really, really missed by everyone. I think everybody admires him so much and he'll never be forgotten."
1X World Champion, CJ Hobgood
"I think the biggest thing is that we are thankful for so much. I'm thankful to be a surfer because we are family. I'm thankful to be a part of Andy's family. I've traveled with him since I was 12 years old and I believe that he has made me a better person; he's made everyone around him a better person." "I think all of the surfers here today understand that you can't ever know when your time is up, so it's comforting to know that we were all here for him as one."
Despite the gorgeous conditions that Southern California is experiencing today, a dark silhouette keeps the surfing community at a loss.
Today is a day of mourning in the surfing world. There is shock and disbelief circling the entire globe right now, as professional surfers in Puerto Rico take a day to reflect on there peers accomplishments and life, and news wires fill up regarding the death of a young man in his prime. Andy Irons, 3x World Champion, was only 32 when he passed away, and it is speculated that he may have succumbed to illness.
A quote from the ASP, "Irons, 32, withdrew from a professional surfing event in Puerto Rico last weekend due to illness, and passed away during a layover en-route to his home in Kauai, Hawaii. He had reportedly been battling with Dengue Fever, a viral disease."
"Irons, who began his career with the elite ASP World Tour in 1998, went on to collect 20 elite tour victories, four Triple Crown of Surfing Titles, three consecutive ASP World Titles and change the sport forever with his unparalleled ability and comprehensive approach to surfing."
We recently watched him take home a win at the Billabong Pro in Tahiti and he looked prime tocontinue moving forward with his success. More information will be relayed when it is made available, but this is truly a deep wound in the surfing community.
the community over the passing of Andy Irons.
Surely, plenty will mourn our stars, but this experience seemed so genuine and unique that I can only contemplate life and how one can have an effect on so many.
