Andy Irons R.I.P 1978-2010

Yesterday 4:12 p.m. I receive a text message:

"Sucks, A.I. just died."

"Andy Irons?" I reply.

"Yeah."

At first I thought it was just one of those Internet death rumors. But when I read online at tmz.com Andy Irons passed away from dengue fever, a viral infection, in a hotel in Dallas, Texas far away from any ocean, I figured it was true. Any rumor would have romanticized his death in giant surf, not alone in some inland hotel.

Andy Irons, 32, 3x World Surfing Champion, lion heart competitor, and the only one who ever gave Kelly Slater any real competition has left Planet Earth prematurely. Andy leaves behind a pregnant wife, Lyndie, a child he will never know, parents, a brother, friends, and countless fans.

In 2010, Andy was granted a wild card for the surfing world tour. He even won The Tahiti Pro in September of this year. He was making a successful comeback.

My impression of Andy in a recent magazine interview was, he was working on coming to terms with himself. An honorable endeavor, in my opinion, and never an easy one.

I hope he has found peace. God bless all the loved ones he leaves behind, much too soon, especially the child who will never know his father.