In Memoriam: Pro Surfing Icon Andy Irons

On September 3rd 2010 Andy Irons won the Billabong Pro in Tahiti.

Andy Irons image courtesy: lat34.org

(DALLAS, Texas) - The pro surfing world said goodbye to a good friend today; former World Champion Andy Irons who was 32 years old, died on a stopover in Dallas, Texas. The Association of Surfing Professionals said Andy "had reportedly been battling with dengue fever", a virus-based disease spread by mosquitoes. The ASP did stress that the exact cause of death is not known at this point.

Andy Irons, a kama'aina, was reared on the dangerous and shallow reefs of the North Shore in Kauai, Hawaii.

Friends told KITV4 that Irons' wife, Lyndie, is due to give birth to their child soon.

Over his career he won three world titles, in 2002, 2003, and 2004). He also won three Quiksilver Pro France titles, in 2003, 2004 and 2005, as well as two Rip Curl Pro Search titles in 2006 and 2007.

Additionally, Andy had 19 elite tour victories.

On September 3rd 2010 he won the Billabong Pro in Tahiti.

Considered an inspiration to many young surfers, Andy and his family hosted the Annual Irons Brothers Pinetrees Classic contest for youngsters, in order to give back to the community that gave them so much.

The governor of Hawaii deemed February 13 forever 'Andy Irons Day'.

His younger brother, Bruce Irons, is a former competitor on the World Championship Tour of Surfing (WCT). During his childhood Andy would lose to Bruce in contests, but that changed once he entered the World Championship Tour, where he dominated.

The Irons family made this statement:

The world of surfing mourns an incredibly sad loss today with the news that Hawaii’s Andy Irons has died. Andy was a beloved husband, and a true champion.

(Andy) 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.

At this time the family thanks his friends and fans for their support, and asks that the community respect its privacy. The family also asks to not be contacted so their focus can remain on one another during this time of profound loss.

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.

Andy was inducted into the Surfing Walk of Fame in Huntington Beach, California in 2008.

Andy Irons 1978-2010

Special thanks to the ASP World Tour Website, please visit: http://www.aspworldtour.com/ to learn more.