HONOLULU — The unexpected and mysterious death of surfing champion Andy Irons last week has left the tight-knit surfing world saddened and stunned.
From the waters of Puerto Rico to his home state of Hawaii, tributes poured out for the three-time world champion and soon-to-be father, who was found dead in his hotel bed last Tuesday in the Dallas area.
A memorial service has been scheduled for Nov. 14 on his home island of Kauai.
A police report released late last week said the prescription drugs Xanax, an anti-anxiety medication, and the sleeping aid Ambien were found in Irons’ hotel room. There were no signs of trauma and foul play.
Tarrant County Medical Examiner Nizam Peerwani said a ruling on the cause of death could take several weeks, pending the completion of lab tests.
Irons was on a layover en route to his home on Kauai. He was returning from Puerto Rico, where he was supposed to compete in the 2010 Rip Curl Pro Search. However, he withdrew, telling tournament organizers that he had become ill during an event in Portugal.
“Although he and I butted heads a lot a few years ago, I have so many good memories of Andy, and we have become pretty good friends since,” said Kelly Slater, who won a record 10th title Saturday at the Rip Curl Pro Search event. “We’re just baffled that he’s gone.”
The 32-year-old surfer won world championships in 2002, 2003 and 2004, and was a four-time winner of the prestigious Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.
Irons was making a strong comeback after taking last year away from surfing. He also was looking forward to being a father. His wife, Lyndie, is expecting the couple’s first child in December.
“Andy was incredible. I think he was a person that always wore his heart on his sleeve. He didn’t try to impress anyone. He was just all about what he wanted to do. He was an amazing competitor,” Australian surfer Mick Fanning said.
Irons was revered on Kauai, along with his younger brother, Bruce, also a pro surfer. Irons’ father taught him to surf on the North Shore, where he was married three years ago.
In a 2002 interview with The Associated Press, the day he won his first title, Irons said being a champion wouldn’t change him as a person. And friends say that was true.
