Andy Irons To Quit World Championship Tour?
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So what’s it gonna be Champ? That was my initial thought after reading an interview done by Lewis Samuels on surfline.com yesterday.
After a no show at the Billabong Pro Mundaka—his sponsor’s event—and generally uninspired surfing at the Lower Trestles and France events, Three Time World Champion Andy Irons from Kauai answered questions from Samuels that were being asked from Coolangatta to Capbreton and everywhere in-between.
Andy’s struggles on the 2008 WCT (World Championship Tour) came to a head when he failed to show up in Mundaka after skipping his round two heat at the Quiksilver Pro France. He had disappeared from the public eye, which led to much internet speculation and rumors galore. He was buying a house in France, on a giant bender, blah, blah, blah—nobody knew what was going on in Andy’s head, and apparently, neither did Andy. “What people don’t understand is that I am just as confused as they are,” he told Surfline.com.
Later in the article, Andy goes on to say that he won’t be going to Brazil for the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro, but then again, hardly any of the big names will be at that event, so that doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Instead, AI said that he’s in California at the moment, “trying to get my mind right, and taking a break from surfing all together.”
Andy’s level of talent has never been in question.
When pressed about his plans for surfing in the Billabong Pro Pipeline Masters, Andy was unsure, saying, “I wish I could tell you “yeah, ’cause I love surfing Pipe, but I really don’t know. All I can say is that you won’t see me put on another contest jersey until I am 100% into it.”
An athlete getting burned out and taking a break is nothing new, remember, Kelly Slater did just the same thing some years ago, and came back stronger than ever. While he may be confused when thinking about the future (who the hell isn’t?), and going on epic freesurf trips with his brother certainly sounds alluring, Irons has the talent to break Slater’s lock on ASP World Titles as he’s clearly proven in the past. But talent only goes so far—maniacal drive and the animal desire to win are what brought Andy three world titles before, and as he was quoted as saying in the article, he isn’t “the guy who wants to eat you for breakfast anymore. That shit will drive you crazy if you stay in that mode for too long.”
Three-Time World Champion Andy Irons.
Whatever the result of Andy Irons’ self-prescribed “break” from the tour, we here at Transworld SURF wish him only the best and will support him down whatever path he chooses to take. Good luck, Champ!
To read Lewis Samuels on Surfline.com article, click HERE.
Tags: Andy Irons, ASP, ASP World Tour, Surfline, wct
Current Issue: Aug 2009
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so, who’s going to call bs on the interview? Nothing about the alleged drug use, the free pills back home etc.? This is the not-so-hard-hitting stuff Surfline is famous for. They’re even editing the comments (at least mine - which was simply “waaaaahhh”). Is TWS going to step up and ask the hard questions or what?
surfline sucks, Andy rips, Transworld surf is pretty cool.
Andy’s gonna come back next year and f—k everybody up!!!!
Andy and Bruce should get sponsored by the Betty Ford Center, they have a sick logo.
I’d rather just go surf with Bruce too. AI is over the tour.
The tour without Andy, Bruce, and Kelly (you watch he’s outta there) will be a boring ass wankfest of random aussies who dress like poofters. “Up next: Heat #3 with Dayan Neve vs. Luke Munro.” How exciting…
ever heard of Jordy Smith and Dane reynolds you faggot?
I wish my life was so terrible that I had to quit my job of traveling to epic destinations and shredding with my bros. Sounds like hell.
I feel for you andy. Im a porn star and that shit gets old fast!
AI iis the man things happen in life just the way they should and we learn from the chooices we make///////Check out AI and Bruce and Kelly in the Lords of Trestles Vol#1 out soon info at http://www.digitalwunderland.com
you know how i know your gay?
AI rips hes just in a different place in life at the moment………. I think everthing in life happens just the way it should and we learn from our choices in life, in return it makes us who we are….Check out AI in the Lords of Trestles Vol#1 info at http://www.digitalwunderland.com
Andy go train with Rob Garcia in San Diego. Rob Garcia will get you fixed mentally & physically. Of coursce you are gone to have good days and bad days. Andy you are the best, no.1 regardless what the world says. This year you had a tough time on the tour.
It’s time to take a break. Re evaluate your surfing. Take a vacation with your wife. You need a little balance.You have everything my friend a beautiful wife, family, friends. We want you to get better mentally. Come back 2009 & go train with Rob and 2009 you will be at the top of the world.
Aloha, My friend
I was in the same position as Andy.All these drug rumors are
untrue gossip. What Andy is facing, what I also faced about 9 years ago, isolation, don’t want to go out,don’t want to surf,
For me I was the up and coming surf photographer 9 years ago I just quit my practice I was frustrated I went into a depression.
This is what Andy is facing a form of depression. The preasure to be the best,earning a living,traveling on the WCt, contract to be no 5 in the world. Not glamourous. All this preasure has led to a form of mental depression(isolation,not surfing.What Andy needs is all of your fans support. In my mind Andy is no 1. and I hope he will get better.Andy needs a break. About 9 years ago I was the upcoming surf photographer I had brief stints as a Senior photog with the major surf mags. I got frustrated fell into a depression. I did not want to shoot surf photos and photography. I was in the same state as Andy.I needed a break.A year later I picked up a camera started shooting again. I enjoyed shooting photos not for money but for love. From that day I still shoot photos for the fun of it.I overcame this depression. All this preassure on Andy to be no.1, to be the best, contract,sponsors,gossip,earning a living from surfing led to a depression. What Andy needs is a break and fans support to overcome depression.In my eyes Andy is no.1 and I hope he gets better. Andy you have to make yourself happy and we are all here to support you. In surfing you will always fall but you will always get up with stronger stance. I hope you get better Andy.
Aloha, Da Hawaiian
you forgot to close your paranthesis…
“I was in the same position as Andy…” Dude, a surf photographer trying to make it is a little bit different than a three time world champion international surfing icon. The only thing you have in common is the state you come from.
Good thing “Da Hawaiian” didnt quit his stint as this incredible photographer to become an English teacher, because his spelling and grammar is terrible and all he says is Andy is no.1, actually andy is not no.1, people who are not in the know can make all the accusations they want, but for those of us on the inside, we know exactly what made this downward spiral of the great A.I. happen, the rumors are not rumors, they are reality, drugs mess people up, A.I. is a perfect example of this. Seaside reef in da house!
I think i know who “da hawaiian” is, and he is a kook!
Chris the hawaiian Dyball
yep, you’re a barn
Reese, I am not even going to correct your grammar. If you are going to criticize someone for their poor writing, you’ve got to proofread first. At the very least you could give the period a try. Please re-write your post, unless you are trying to be the next Whitman. In that case, great job man! May you run-on into literary history!
That was clever. Not.
No kidding J Boy! hey Johny, you ever ride a Merrrick? I got a garage full, cruise by and test one out, top secret concaves he is working on right now, I am the test pilot.
Dudes, whatevers bros, periods are for kooks, i am to busy throwing huge buckets at ponto to proof read my posts, plus I have all these proto type boards to test for Al Merrick before the year is up. Anyways, Im off to check the new dean morrison footy on the homepage, serious tube time that i can relate to!
Johnny, you are a total dick! Be smart, I dare you! Of course, I’ll just eat your brain and poop it back into your head.
That was real mature. Go back to Florida! How’s that for smart?
getting back on topic… AI sounds like he needs a break from the limelight. Kelly did the same thing in the late ’90s, and look what that did for him, a few more world titles. just figure out what it’s all about again AI
All you have to is look at Andy, he’s half the man he used to be, all pasty-white, dropped 10-20 pounds. Transworld should break the story wide open instead of acting like they haven’t been told their media buys from Billabong will be pulled if they ran the “true story” behind Andy fall from grace. The surf media has done a really good job hiding Andy drug addiction and I’m not talking about smoking weed. Billabong must be doing some major lobbying and hard-lining the publications to keep it hush-hush. Wonder if Transworld has the sack to post this…
-Oside
Forgot to mention Andy rips and I hope can come back full strength. Weather is on the CT or just traveling- surfing needs him. Keep the stoke.
Surfing does not need AI nor kelly,mick etc. etc. Surfing started and grew from everywhere not just people who know how to surf good in contest.I bet if there were no pro contest that the level of performance would be just has high if not higher.I dont blame Andy for taking off this year he has been spinning around the world for ten plus years now.Andy ,Bruce have a great holiday season back home hope you and your friends and family get nice and fat from some fresh caught ahi (droool).Oh yeah andy if you decided not surf pipe this year please let the media know sooner than later so I can take you off my fantasy surf team.Get me the hell outta fla.
Like any job burn out, you need time out. I was working for some douchebags and in the process, became apathetic and disinterested. I was fortunate enough to have some duckets saved so I could quit. I traveled and surfed for a few months. It was the best thing I could have done. Since I’m not a pro surfer, I’m sure this was my escape. If you have been traveling for years and surfing, having the same team managers, contest directors, sponsors constantly on top of you, I’m sure that takes its toll. Not to mention, the exposure, impersonal lifestyle and always having someone in your grill. Killing yourself by burning the candle at both ends can really put the zap on ya. Regardless of the fact you are amongst the best surfers in the world or a mortgage broker. The difference is that there is only 45 of these people in the whole world!
Only 45 people like this on the world? You are so narrow minded. There are tons of great surfers like this in the world. These are the few that had the desire, backing, and luck to actually make it on to the scene. Kelly is the only one that is a freak of nature and that begs for exception. Sorry Hawaii he is from Florida
Occy did all this and turned out fine. Go listen to the Nate Mott Band and everything will be fine!
From Surfline —
Surfline Ed 10/16/2008 06:55 AM * PREMIUM MEMBER - Nickname
Hi guys, Thanks for all your comments; Andy’s seen some of ‘em, and is taking the next month away from the spotlight. We closing down comments now, but stay tuned for more. –Marcus Sanders, Surfline editor
Hmmm… 30 days huh? sounds like a rehab trip lol
Don’t forget about the HUGE ICE problem back on the islands…
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