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A photographic (and now written) tribute to a surfer who has passed way before his time, Andy Irons. |
Smile on dial, Fiji.
When I first heard from friends in Portugal that Andy Irons didn’t
show for a heat, instantly I thought he must’ve had something simple like
the flu. Or maybe he was stuck in transit on his way to the contest. These
things happen from time to time and I didn’t give it another thought.
On the morning of November 3rd 2010, I was awoken by a text from a close
friend of mine who is in Hawaii getting ready for the season. It contained
the most upsetting and shocking news. News I both didn’t want to, and wasn’t
ready to hear. It read: ‘Andy Irons has just died’.
Inside Backdoor Pipeline, Hawaii.
Like us all, whether a surfer, photographer, writer, friend or fan, I was
absolutely floored by that terrible news. As I write this I still cant
believe that this has happened. My thoughts are confused and sad as I think
about his immediate family – his mother, father, Bruce, Lyndie, and his
close friends.
Free the fins, Gold Coast.
I wasn’t one of Andy’s close friends, but being a photographer I was
fortunate enough to be placed in his presence on more than one occasion
thanks to Tracks. Whether it was a few drinks on a presentation night at the
now defunct Fiji Globe Pro (at which I shot one of my fav pics to this day
of Andy), with Troy Brooks and Tommy Whitiker. Or the time my friend Holly Monkman dragged
me into the back of a stretch limo after the 2004 ASP banquet on the Gold
Coast. I had no idea who was in there and to my shock I looked up to see
Andy, lyndie, Kai ‘Borg’ Garcia and pretty much his whole entourage. They were having
a pretty damn good time, as you would expect as Andy was just crowned 2004
World Champion. With my pocket camera ready I took only one photo. I then
forgot about it and joined in the celebrations. The shot turned out to be
one of a kind, [shot appears in the January issue of Tracks on sale Dec 1] and I’ve always felt very privileged and grateful to have
captured such a rare, personal moment.
HIgh flying, Hawaii.
From what I knew of Andy he was a passionate, feisty, loyal, loving man and
this showed in all areas of his tragically short life. He wore his heart on
his sleeve and that’s what I really loved about him. He had a tight group of
friends that extended across the globe and they always supported him in what
ever he was doing.
Schooling the new school, Gold Coast.
His surfing was outrageous, explosive and totally unpredictable. Think of
the effect Martin ‘Pottz’ Potter or Matt ‘Archie’ Archbold had back in their day. He had that same effect on
us in this day and age where professional surfing can, at times, seem too
clinical and calculated. Andy always stood out and shone upon the rest, and
that’s what we all loved.
Poise at Pipe, Hawaii.
He accomplished so much, and what he did will always live on and inspire us
all. I know I’ll miss him and will always remember him as a true champion.
My heart goes out to his entire family, his friends and all of us who simply
enjoyed watching one of freakiest talents ever ride a surfboard.
By Nathan Smith
Big Cloudbreak, Fiji.
No leggie, no worries.
Cool cutty, Snapper Heads.
Face to face fun with Mick Fanning, Fiji.
Gold Coast from a chopper.
RIP Andy Irons…
To view Andy’s moving memorial video click HERE
For full story click HERE
