ANDY IRON: R.I.P

Kauai's favorite son and immensely popular three-time world champ Andy Irons just passed away this morning in a Dallas hotel room, reportedly from Dengue Fever. He was 32.

Irons missed his R1 and R2 heats at the Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico earlier this week due to illness. According to a source close to the family, after leaving PR with a serious fever and dehydrated, he was unable to board his plane to Kauai in Dallas, and was found dead in his hotel room this morning.

He leaves behind a pregnant wife, Lyndie, as well as brother Bruce and his parents. 
As noted by the ASP, Irons, who began his career with the elite ASP World Tour in 1998, went on to collect 20 elite tour victories, four Triple Crown of Surfing Titles, three consecutive ASP World Titles and change the sport forever with his unparalleled ability and comprehensive approach to surfing.

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.

Here is the official Irons Family Statement: "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."

"The surfers today lost a brother," says ASP CEO Brodie Carr. "We all lost one of our fellow tribesmen and one of our family we've been traveling with for many years, we lost a world champion; we lost a friend. It's extremely difficult and sad day for all of us."

Our hearts and sympathies go out to the Irons' family and friends!