Some Sad News to hit the Surfing World Today.

RMcKnee · Post by **RMcKnee** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 12:46 am

Shocked.

This kind of stuff should not happen. Stands as a stark reminder that in spite of all our science and technology we still depend on each other as much as ever.

Andy was a nice guy. Late one afternoon a few years ago in the lead-up to the Quikkie Pro, I was surfing the Superbank. Usual crowd, solid 4-5ft waves, falling tide, no wind. Having failed to make an impossibly fast section going into Greenmount, I went down in a blaze of barrelling glory at full speed. On surfacing I was greeted with the smiling face of AI, who had just fallen victim to the same section on the wave previous. We laughed at each other and then watched his brother eat it right in front of us on the next wave seconds later. When a guy at the top of his game can find the time to share a little stoke with a grizzled kneeboarder in a crowded line-up thousands of miles from home just for the sake of a smile ... well, you can't buy that stuff for any amount of money.

Here on the Goldie AI will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.

Steeno · Post by **Steeno** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 1:11 am

I was shocked also, made me feel sick thinking about his partner being pregnant.

and I thought to myself, what about the ASP's "Care of Duty" here?

analbirth · Post by **analbirth** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 1:35 am

steen, there are reports that he was admitted into hospital but discharged himself & went to his hotel. Also that there was other medication found on his night table including one that contained methadone.If this is true and he was an adult, so how can the ASP be responsible for an individuals actions? I think the duty of care thing has gotten way out of hand. People have got to start taking responsibility for their own actions.

Steeno · Post by **Steeno** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 1:49 am

I see your point, suprised me how sad it made me feel

womble · Post by **womble** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 2:49 am

Regardless of any facts that may surface ... AI was and will always remain a surfing enigma. A truly amazing surfer ... with a passion to match his talent ... outspoken maybe ... or maybe just brutally honest.
Three in a row ... yes three in a row ... surfing against supposedly the best ever. Yet Kelly got smoked by this guy ... repeatedly.
To be that ruthlessly focused and at the top of your game ... to be better than the best ... yet somehow despised for achieving your goals ... constantly beating the golden child. That has to take something out of you.
I gained a newfound respect for Andy after watching some recent interviews ... he seemed humbled and content ... almost zen like ... happy with his place in the world.
He just wanted to get home ... who could blame him ... it's just another sad story now ... and a great loss for his family. A sad day indeed.

Mike Fernandez · Post by **Mike Fernandez** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 5:32 am

RMcKnee wrote:Shocked.

This kind of stuff should not happen. Stands as a stark reminder that in spite of all our science and technology we still depend on each other as much as ever.

Andy was a nice guy. Late one afternoon a few years ago in the lead-up to the Quikkie Pro, I was surfing the Superbank. Usual crowd, solid 4-5ft waves, falling tide, no wind. Having failed to make an impossibly fast section going into Greenmount, I went down in a blaze of barrelling glory at full speed. On surfacing I was greeted with the smiling face of AI, who had just fallen victim to the same section on the wave previous. We laughed at each other and then watched his brother eat it right in front of us on the next wave seconds later. When a guy at the top of his game can find the time to share a little stoke with a grizzled kneeboarder in a crowded line-up thousands of miles from home just for the sake of a smile ... well, you can't buy that stuff for any amount of money.

Great story R.

Mike Fernandez · Post by **Mike Fernandez** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 10:46 am

analbirth wrote: People have got to start taking responsibility for their own actions.

AB your right. I was reading the early reports where it sounded like he was too sick to continue the flight, and they took him off. I assumed he was flying with an entourage.

day · Post by **day** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 2:17 pm

Hawaii has lost one of her favorite sons.
All wave riders have lost a brother.
His family and friends on Kauai have lost their beloved.

Let's not take another day for granted. Hug your family and friends and tell them how much you love them. Share Aloha in A.I. name.

jdkneelo · Post by **jdkneelo** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 2:50 pm

He had big figs i know that for sure with his no care attitude at pipe and chopes. S adly missed

rooster · Post by **rooster** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 5:38 pm

Andy Irons

RIP

KenM · Post by **KenM** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 6:54 pm

There is a report that Aussie competitor Owen Wright says that he, fellow Aussie Chris Davidson, South African Travis Logie as well Kelly Slater's girlfriend Kalani Miller all fell ill with similar symptoms after the Portugal leg of the tour. The cause of their illnesses is so far unconfirmed.

Mike Fernandez · Post by **Mike Fernandez** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 8:14 pm

Thought I would pass on what I consider to be some great writing about AI even though I am not a writer. The last sentence really kicks you in the stomach.
http://espn.go.com/action/surfing/news/ ... s-obituary

Mark Ramirez · Post by **Mark Ramirez** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 9:11 pm

Ken, I haven't been able to read about this unfortunate news,(RIP Andy), but if he did pass away fron Dengue Fever, it is a collection of several viruses that are passed to humans from a mosquito bite!

jdc · Post by **jdc** » Thu Nov 04, 2010 12:05 am

womble wrote:He just wanted to get home

perhaps he is

KenM · Post by **KenM** » Thu Nov 04, 2010 3:52 pm

Mark Ramirez wrote:Ken, I haven't been able to read about this unfortunate news,(RIP Andy), but if he did pass away fron Dengue Fever, it is a collection of several viruses that are passed to humans from a mosquito bite!

Mark, there has been a huge increase in the numbers of the particular type of mosquito that carries Dengue in Portugal in the last couple of years.