With the averge age of the kneeboarder these days this area should be used to post issues on health matters (surfer's ear, knee surgery, stretches, etc).
Just saw this online...so very, very sad. He seemed so stoked on his win at Teauhopoo. And with a child on the way. Thoughts and prayers to the Irons family.
An amazing surfer on his day ... and oh so competitive ... brutally so.
Seemed to loose the plot there before he took a short break ... returned with a new found fire and passion.
Things were starting to come together ... good form resulting in a recent win ... a newfound love for his competitors ... family life ... contentment.
And BAM its gone in the blink of an eye ...
Vale Andy Irons ...July 24,1978 - November 2, 2010 ... 32 years young ... too young ... too soon ... may you rest in peace.
Imagination is more important than knowledge.
For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand.
While imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.
Not trying to place blame, but man it makes you realize how lucky KenH was because people were looking out for him.
How does a guy like AI quit a surf contest because he is sick, take a plane home, but has to get off half way there because he can't go any farther because he is sick, and STILL doesn't end up in the hospital Was he alone, did he travel with a friend?
I am a traveller of both time and space, a weaver in and out of dreams, I see worlds seldom seen.
And a reminder to any travellers. If you feel a bit shitty, headachey, tired, think it'll pass if you sleep it off... tell someone to check on you frequently. With dengue, you can get in to bed and not have the strength to get out again when you realise it's serious. My surfing buddy and colleague (also an Andy) got admitted to hospital last week after going in with a sore throat. His bloods showed his platelet count was about 50. A little longer and he could've been bleeding out.
Yes, shocking and sad news!! Prayers for Andy's wife and family in this most difficult time. I agree Mike, if only he had been able to get to a hospital it may have made a difference.
Here's a great shot of Andy as Sunset I found on Surfline before I went to the North Shore a couple of weeks ago. Charging!! It's pic #5 ...
Just goes to show the rest of us mere mortals, nobody is safe.
I consider myself very fortunate to have made it to 50
A coupla favorite life motto's of mine....
Your dead too long &
Work is what gets in the way of having a good time.
My heart goes out to his friends and family.
Even if i get to surf half the waves someone like Andy Irons surfed in his short life, i will die happy. And i've been surfing for longer than he lived.
He's probably pulling in with Capt. Goodvibes right now. R.I.P