We’re all looking forward to checking this one out — especially those of us who were fans of Andy Irons in spite of full knowledge that he was on the downward spiral. We hope Kissed By God can be both a celebration AI’s life and a cautionary tale for an industry that has all too often ignored serious personal issues in pursuit of quality marketing. You know what we mean.
Kissed By God premiere’s in Los Angeles, CA on May 2, 2018 at the Regency Village Theater. In Honolulu, May 6, 2018 at the Hawaii Theatre Center, and in NYC on May 10, 2018 at NYU Skirball. For all the details click the link.
Teton Gravity Research (the ski film company) has a Andy Irons documentary coming out titled Andy: The Untold Story of Andy Irons. Which they’re currently trying to raise money for on Kickstarter. Here’s how they’re pitching it:
This is the unfiltered life story of three-time world champion surfer Andy Irons. Andy came from humble beginnings on the North Shore of Kauai and rose through the ranks to international surf stardom. He influenced a generation through the public lens as a wild, young phenom, who came to be known as “the people’s champion”. Throughout his life Andy fought an up and down battle with bi-polar disease and drug addiction. Andy passed away suddenly at the age of 32, with his wife 8 months pregnant expecting their first child.
The story is compelling. And we look forward to getting it straight. If you’d like to help finance the completion of the film, click here.
It was two years ago today (November 2, 2010) that the social media world began passing messages that the unthinkable had happened. Three-time ASP World Champion Andy Irons had died, alone in a Dallas, Texas hotel room while traveling home to Hawaii from the Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico. The entire surf world was stunned, shocked, and heartbroken and in many ways we still are today.
Andy Irons touched so many lives in so many different ways. And, Billabong is working to keep AI’s memory alive and to support to his widow and son.
Out of respect and acknowledgement of Andy’s legacy we continue to dedicate the Billabong Pipe Masters in his memory. . . Billabong is also proud to announce the new global AI Forever collection for release in Summer 2013 in stores and online March 15, in the USA. Proceeds from the AI Forever line will go toward ongoing guaranteed support for Andy’s wife Lyndie and young son Axel.
That’s how you take care of family. Nice work, Billabong.
Two weeks ago on August 1, 2011, Outside Magazine posted former Surfer Magazine editorial staff member Brad Melekian’s story on Andy Irons’ death titled Crashing Down to its website. We didn’t link it up then and rather than just let it roll by unchecked, we’re linking it up now.
Most Boardistan.com readers already know the story and while some of the rumors we’ve all heard are confirmed in Melekian’s well-written piece (specifically AI’s evening in Miami), there really isn’t all that much new info here. Still, it’s worth a read if you (like us) missed it when it first came out.
It was a floating island of love and respect as a reported 3,000 people paddled out at Hanalei’s Pine Trees to remember Andy Irons on Sunday November 14, 2010. It was a farewell fit for a king.
Today, as thousands gather at Pine Trees on the shore of Kauai’s Hanalei Bay at 11 AM HST to remember son, brother, husband, and three-time ASP World Champion, Andy Irons, our thoughts are with the Irons family; specifically his parents Phil and Danielle, brother Bruce, and pregnant wife Lyndie.
Only parents who have lost a child, and those who have endured the death of an older brother or husband will understand the depth of loss the Irons family has been feeling since learning of Andy’s death on November 2, 2010.
Today will be difficult for everyone. Wherever you are at 11 AM HST, (1 PM PST, 2 PM CST, or 3 PM EST), please stop and take a minute or two to send positive thoughts to the Irons family.
To learn more about Andy Irons or to remember just a few of the things he added to the world during his short 32 years, click here for Graham Stapelberg’s Eulogy To A Great Waterman.
Surfers, friends, and family of Andy Irons will gather this Sunday, November 14, 2010 in both Hawaii and Huntington Beach, California to pay tribute to the life of the three-time ASP World Champion.
The family memorial service will be held at Pine Trees in Hanalei Bay, Kauai at 11:00 AM, while a Southern California memorial will be held the same day at 12:30 PM on the South side of the Huntington Beach Pier. Both memorials will be followed by an honorary paddle out to pay tribute to his legacy.
Surfers in Puerto Rico for the Rip Curl Pro Search paddled out today in memory of Andy Irons and have postponed the event until Friday morning “to give the ASP professional surfers the space they needed to clear their heads, get their arms around each other and just take it all in,” according to Neil Ridgway, Rip Curl Global Marketing & Advertising Chairman.
Kelly Slater had this to say about the day:
“We had a nice paddle out for Andy,’ Slater said. “It was a huge a group of people that got together – a couple hundred people paddled out. Obviously everyone is very somber and it’s just devastating news for everyone.”
“Everyone had their own connection with Andy on so many different levels,” Slater said. “He was a classic guy. 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. Generally, we just sit around and don’t even talk about surfing. We just have dinner and talk.”
“We’re just baffled that he’s gone.”
For video from the paddle out and more surfers’ comments follow the jump. [click to continue…]
Lyndie and Andy Irons at the premiere of Fly In The Champagne February 19, 2009.
Reports of Andy Iron’s untimely death began circulating via text message and phone calls a little after 1 PM today (Tuesday, November 2, 2010). The 32-year-old three-time ASP World Surfing champion reportedly succumbed to fever during a layover in Dallas, Texas on his way home to Hawaii. He was found in his room by Grand Hyatt Hotel employees at 9:44 AM, according to the Associated Press.
Irons was in Puerto Rico to compete in the Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico but reportedly was ill on arrival and was too sick to surf his round one heat 8 against Luke Stedman and Owen Wright.
