LIHU‘E — It was a somber day at Sunset Beach on Wednesday, states a release from the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, where gray skies and high, stormy waves matched the mood of professional surfers who turned out to compete
LIHU‘E — It was a somber day at Sunset Beach on Wednesday, states a release from the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, where gray skies and high, stormy waves matched the mood of professional surfers who turned out to compete in the first day of the HIC Pro, presented by Vans.
One day after the shocking news of three-time world champion Andy Irons’ passing, surfers from around the state and around the world found comfort in the company of friends as stories and memories of Andy filled the salt-laden air.
Waves of up to 20 feet rolled through Sunset Beach and personal tributes were shared among the 112 competitors, most of whom are from around the Hawaiian Islands and knew Irons well.
The day began with a Hawaiian ceremony for Irons conducted by kahu Butch Helemano. From 17-year-old rookie professional Keanu Asing, to seasoned competitor and mentor to the surf stars, Rainos Hayes, 41, there wasn’t a surfer on the beach who didn’t find solace in being at one of Andy’s favorite places to compete.
Some paddled out wearing flower lei, others greeted old friends with a strengthened embrace. It all amounted to a special day shared around the world via the live webcast and statewide live television broadcast of the event.
“Everyone’s hearts are weighing heavy,” said Rainos Hayes, who traveled extensively with Irons throughout his career and manages the Billabong surf team. “I paddled out this morning with a lei to put in the water and it hit home again. It makes you want to do it for him and be the animal that he was in the water. But at the same time, you know that there’s a piece of surfing that’s not replaceable. There’s only one Andy Irons, and he was it.”
Head judge Jack Shipley has watched Irons rise through the ranks from the age of five in menehune contests and has judged his rides around the world.
“It’s been an honor knowing him and it’s been a really sweet thing watching him all these years in the water,” said Shipley. “Everything he did was top notch.
“Kelly (Slater) and Andy pushed each other to the max and for us as judges and spectators, when you see professional athletes that are completely challenged by each other and they’ve stretched their limits for our joy and for surfing, it’s a wonderful thing.”
Competition presented an opportunity to get together more than the chance to get a step up on the opposition Wednesday and while the results from this event carry major bearing on the rest of the Hawaiian winter surf season, they seemed to transpire as if an afterthought.
An $85,000 4-star rated Association of Surfing Professionals event, the HIC Pro is a three-day event and the final stop on the ASP Hawai‘i regional tour. It presents the last opportunity for local surfers to qualify to compete against the world’s highest-rated surfers at the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, which runs from Nov. 12 through Dec. 20.
The event is broadcast live on television around Hawai‘i on Oceanic Time Warner Cable channels 250 & HD 1250.
