The Association of Surfing Professionals released a statement on Tuesday 2nd November announcing the death of Andy Irons, a surfing champion and Billabong brand ambassador.
The ASP announced that Irons had passed away from complications due to illness, said to be dengue fever. He had been travelling from Puerto Rico to his home Kauai, Hawaii, where his pregnant wife was staying .
Irons began his career with the elite ASP World Tour in 1998 and went on to collect 20 elite tour victories, four Triple Crown of Surfing Titles and three consecutive ASP World Titles.
Irons family released a statement through the ASP:
The world of surfing mourns an incredibly sad loss today with the news that Hawaii’s Andy Irons has died. Andy was a beloved husband, and a true champion.
Irons, 32, withdrew from a professional surfing event in Puerto Rico last weekend due to illness, and passed away during a layover en-route to his home in Kauai, Hawaii. He had reportedly been battling with Dengue Fever, a viral disease.
At this time the family thanks his friends and fans for their support, and asks that the community respect its privacy. The family also asks to not be contacted so their focus can remain on one another during this time of profound loss.
Tributes have been pouring in from fans, as well as his former sponsors, Billabong:
It is with deep sadness that Billabong has learned of the news of Andy Irons’ passing. Andy was one of the greatest surfers of our time. More than that, he was a much loved son, a devoted husband and a soon-to-be father. The thoughts of all Billabong employees worldwide are with wife Lyndie and Andy’s family at this most devastating time.
The Australian press reported that drugs that Irons was taking may have had an impact on the surfers death citing reports of methadone found by his bedside. Mr Irons had mentioned his “inner demons” in interviews, saying that surfing was the only thing that kept him on an even keel. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office will make the results of an investigation public once the facts have been established.
