• Irons’ don’t forget where they’re from
Irons’ don’t forget where they’re from
By Duane Shimogawa Jr. – The Garden Island
Living just a hundred yards from Pine Trees seemed like a great way to start off a career.
Surfing has been a part of the Irons’ clan since they were little boys growing up in Hanalei.
Both Bruce and Andy had the stage, but the hard work and committment that comes with surfing always were their biggest attributes. Only 19 months apart, the Irons Brothers had the strong backing from their mom, Danielle and their dad, Phil, who still stand behind them through their professional careers. At Pine Trees yesterday, the 4th Annual Irons Brothers contest was the biggest it’s ever been. Never before have I seen so many youths looking up to two Kaua‘i individuals.
They all want to be like Andy and Bruce, who have captured the imagination and hearts of youngsters, not just from Kaua‘i, but all over the world as well.
Bruce, who just completed his first year on the ASP Tour (Association of Professional Surfers), started off with some trouble getting acquainted to the pro scene, but he capped the season off with a huge win at the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational at Waimea Bay on O‘ahu.
His big wave triumph was also seen around the country as a top 10 play for the week on ESPN’s Sportscenter.
Former KGMB 9 Sports Anchor, Neil Everett, who is now a Sportscenter anchor had the pleasure of introducing Bruce on the big wave that brought him the win. Andy, unlike his past two world titles, had the ASP trophy all wrapped up going into the last leg of the tour, The Triple Crown of Surfing.
For their mom, Danielle, who mentioned that this year’s contest was dedicated to the Hanalei Surf Company’s Kathy Nishimoto, who broke her neck in a freakish accident while mowing her lawn, is paralyzed from the neck down. She’s now in Colorado on a respirator.
According to Danielle, Nishimoto spent countless hours, helping out the Irons’ with the contest.
“Her dedication is unparalleled and the effort she put in for this contest, ever since the start is amazing,” Danielle said.
What makes this special contest so sweet, is the fact that kids from all over Kaua‘i get a chance to meet with and interact with their heroes, Andy and Bruce. And that’s really what the contest is all about, the kids of Kaua‘i, who are lucky to have role models like Andy and Bruce. Like any professional athlete, Andy and Bruce spend a ton of hours with adults during their stints on the tour, but it’s refreshing to see that we have two local boys who represent our island well and we are proud of them, not because they are awesome at their craft, instead because of the way they conduct themselves while not in the water. Making a young surfer smile by signing a poster and providing them with a chance to make it big are just two of the many reasons why we are proud of both Bruce and Andy Irons.
As they head off for the upcoming ASP tour, Andy will again be the favorite for the world title and Bruce will be in the hunt as always, but what the youths will remember the most from the two at the Irons Brothers contest this past weekend, is the fact that they saw and talked to individuals, who they can aspire to be like!
Duane Shimogawa Jr., sports editor may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 257) or kauaisports@pulitzer.net
