Andy irons

Philip Andrew Irons (July 24, 1978 – November 2, 2010) was a professional surfer. Irons learned to surf on the dangerous and shallow reefs of the North Shore in Oahu, Hawaii. Over the course of his professional career, he won three world titles (2002, 2003, 2004), three Quiksilver Pro France titles (2003, 2004, 2005), two Rip Curl Pro Search titles (2006 and 2007) and 20 elite tour victoriesincluding the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing four times from 2002-2006.[3] On September 3, 2010 he won the Billabong Pro in Tahiti. He and his family hosted the Annual Irons Brothers Pinetrees Classic, a contest for youngsters. The Governor of Hawaii declared February 13 forever "Andy Irons Day". He is the only surfer to have won a title at every venue on the ASP calendar.
CareerHis younger brother,Bruce Irons, is a former competitor on the World Championship Tour of Surfing (WCT). During his childhood Andy regularly lost to Bruce in contests, but that changed once he entered the World Championship Tour.

In 2009, Irons withdrew from doing the full ASP World Tour season for personal reasons, though he did participate in a few events. He requested a wildcard entry for the 2010 ASP World Tourseason, which was granted by ASP President Wayne Bartholomew. As a result, Irons did not have to re-qualify in 2010 via the World Qualifying Series (WQS). Irons won the Billabong Pro Tahiti 2010.[5]

He was inducted into the Surfing Walk of Fame in Huntington Beach, California in 2008.[6]

Billabong produced an "Andy Irons" line of board shorts.

[edit] DeathIrons died on November 2, 2010;according to The Association of Surfing Professionals, "he had reportedly been battling with dengue fever, a viral disease."[7] It is believed that this may be linked to his death. Professor Robert Booy, an infectious disease academic, however, was suspicious of this, saying that dengue fever deaths are rare.[8] Investigators have ruled out foul play as a cause but are currently waiting ontoxicology reports.[8] He was found lying in bed on his back with the sheets pulled up to his chin, by two hotel staff after he had failed to respond to knock on the door and they went in to investigate.

In response to Irons's death, a World Championship Tour event in Puerto Rico was postponed for two days with competitors holding a "paddle out" memorial service for Irons.[8] Irons had withdrawn fromthe event citing ill health and was flying back to his home in Hawaii before dying during a stopover in Dallas, Texas.[8] He had reportedly stopped in Miami after leaving Puerto Rico and early reports said he was put on a saline drip. Later reports suggest he went to South Beach to party.[9] He was reported to have been vomiting on the Hawaii bound plane before being removed prior to take-off.[10]In the days immediately following his death it was reported that, in Dallas, an extremely ill Irons had attempted to board his connecting flight to Honolulu at 11:30 a.m. but was turned away at an American Airlines gate—a claim the company denies.[9]

Local officials said the cause of death was not immediately known but Hawaii's Star Advertiser reported that his death was being investigated as apossible overdose of methadone, citing information provided by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office.[11] Irons was diagnosed at one point with sleep apnea. A toxicologist said combining methadone with that condition could be risky. According to the official police report Alprazolam and Zolpidem were found in Irons' hotel room. Despite many rumors that methadone was also found in his room,the official police report does not confirm that theory.[8]

A memorial service was held November 14 in Hanalei Bay, Kauai. His wife Lyndie and brother Bruce, scattered his ashes outside Hanalei Bay where thousands of family, friends and admirers said their last goodbyes.[12]

Rival surfer and friend Kelly Slater dedicated his November 6, 2010 victory to Irons. "I just want to send my...