On a day when the Vans Triple Crown would have been surfed at the opening event in Haleiwa on Oahu, the surfers, and the surfing world honored their friend instead. Thousands gathered on the North Shore of Kauai in the hometown of the Irons family, Hanalei, for a memorial paddle out to honor their son, brother, husband, friend, and legend, Andy Irons.
The Irons family was out in the middle of the bay, just beyond the surf break pine trees, that Andy and his brother Bruce, grew up surfing. Bruce then lead over a thousand friends and family, from around the world, down the beach, and out to the rest of the family.
In a true show of honor, similar memorial paddleouts were held around the world for those fans, friends, and competitors who couldn’t make the trip to Kauai.
The three time world champ will be missed by all. Our condolences again go out to those family and friends who lost someone close, too early in life.
Also a Mahalo to Lachlan MacKinnon for capturing the above photo and sharing it with the world through an ASP press release and the Triple Crown site.
Tags: Andy Irons
[...] thousands from the surfing world from around the world celebrated Andy’s life with a memorial paddle out. Watch Andy’s hometown of Hanalei’s paddle out video [...]