“Hardest Thing I’ve Ever Had to Do”: Teary-Eyed Brother of Late Surfing Icon Struggled While Revisiting Painful Memories for 2018 Movie

Former surfer Bruce Irons teared up while remembering his late elder brother Andry Irons’s surfing legacy in his 2018 documentary. Three-time World Surfing champion, Andy Irons became a surfing inspiration in the short span that he lived. The surfing legend was just 32 when he passed away in 2010, leaving the surfing community devastated. Having spent his entire life with his brother, Bruce paid a tribute to him in the iconic documentary.

In 2018, Teton Gravity Research released a documentary film, Andy Irons – Kissed by God. It displayed how Andy, the pride of Hawaii, was riddled with his internal battles. An emotional Bruce tore up as he relived moments with his brother in the documentary.

Bruce Irons explains who Andy Irons was to him

Andy and Bruce Irons grew up surfing together on the dangerous waves of Kauai, Hawaii. Soon, Andy was spotted by a local surfboard brand that provided him the opportunity to compete in a championship on Oahu. From here, his life changed as he turned into a surfing star. Andy won the Quicksilver Pro France titles three times consecutively from 2002 to 2004.

His younger brother and the winner of the 2001 Billabong Pipeline Masters, Bruce Irons grew up watching and getting inspired by him. Being so close to him, brother Bruce was shattered when he began talking about Andy in the 2018 documentary. He expressed in the video, “My name’s Bruce Irons. Andy Irons was my brother. This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life. I never thought I’d be here and happen to talk about my brother but it is what it is and here I go.”

Bruce explained that his brother was like a hero figure in his life. He credited Andy for whatever he became in his career. Further, the 43-year-old revealed that the three-time world champion was an interesting personality who had several things on his mind. Bruce described him as “unorthodox and wild. You never know what you’re gonna get.”

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The video was a unique celebration of Andy’s life, his roots, and his love for surfing. But it was a life lost too young.

How did Andy Irons die?

The surfing legend’s death came as a shock to the world in 2010. He died on 2 November in Grapevine, Texas, United States. Andy was supposed to travel to Kauai, Hawaii, from Puerto Rico to compete at the Rip Curl Pro Search.

He was in his hotel room at the time of his death when the hotel staff found him unresponsive while lying on bed. Furthermore, the autopsy report revealed that Andy died from cardiac arrest due to a severe blockage of the main artery of the heart.

Andy’s death made several surfing legends mourn. Kelly Slater also wrote a heartfelt message to Andy’s parents, expressing that he was lucky to have known him.

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