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October 14, 2008
61062 views | 500 comments
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Forget what you know about Andy Irons.
Better yet, forget what you don't know, but have been happy to believe. Over the course of his competitive career, Irons has spent very little time lobbying for fan or media approval. Instead, he's been content to let his surfing speak for itself, while the outside world runs rampant with speculative theories on who AI "really" is.
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When I first met Andy Irons last year, I was just as guilty as the rest. I expected to encounter the hyper-focused, ruthless competitor portrayed in Blue Horizon. Instead, I was surprised to meet a gregarious, articulate athlete who seemed just as concerned about his friends' heat wins as his own. It struck me that most fans had no clue as to what Andy was really about. The issue only heightened over the last two years, as Irons' good results became inexplicably sporadic. Andy's frustrating competitive slide finally came to a head in September, when Irons failed to show up for his heat in France. It was obvious to fans that something had gone wrong. But without information, the public was left to fill in the blanks on their own. As is often the case, the real story is a bit more complicated than the rumors. After hearing one too many tall tales, Andy Irons decided it was time to answer some of the questions that have been on fans' minds. SURFLINE: Why did you no-show for your heat in France? ANDY IRONS: It was a decision I made after the first heat I paddled out in, the day before, and made a complete fool out of myself. I just wasn't into it, and I felt like I was going to have a crazy meltdown if I stayed and tried to fake it any longer. It's hard to explain, but it goes all the way back to J-Bay, where I was freezing cold, miserable, and I truly wanted to lose that heat to Granger [Larsen], and just get the hell out of there. I even gave him a wave hoping he would get the score. Ever since then, it's like every time I put a jersey on I am slamming my head into a brick wall, and causing myself even more problems with my sponsors, fans, judges, and all these internet bloggers or whatever you call 'em. What people don't understand is that I am just as confused as they are. Are you going to the next ASP event, in Brazil? No Brazil for me! I am in California right now just trying to get my mind right, and taking a break from surfing all together. Been going out to dinner, movies, and I even started working with a trainer. I had a meeting with Billabong the other day, and they are being super cool about this whole deal. They have seen me struggle, and knew from J-Bay that I have been close to jumping off a building at every event since then. They actually gave me the option to skip Europe all together, but I couldn't wrap my head around skipping an event I have had so much success at [The Quiksilver Pro France]. So, I went, and was right back at LAX within like 4 or 5 days I think. Pretty heavy few days. Sorry Lyndie! There's been a ton of crazy rumors spreading through line-ups and websites about you in the last year. It seems like that would be a pretty tough thing to go through, on a personal level -- hearing wild stories about yourself that aren't true. Has that had an effect on you? I know people have written a ton of shit about me over the past year. Blair Marlin [Andy's Manager] has told me bits and pieces of what the word on the streets is, but the other day I picked up his computer and it was on the Fantasy Surfer website. So I got into it for my first time by myself. It's f**kin radical how mean people are, and how they think they have all the answers. I read a couple things from supporters, but most of 'em just talked about how I was spoiled, or unappreciative, or just some drugged out loser. I tried not to get mad when I read that stuff, but yeah, it fired me up pretty good. How wouldn't it? Talking about my wife and shit? What the f**k? I am a professional athlete, which means it's part of the deal for people to watch me and watch what I do in and out of the water, but I am not some bubbly f**king angel who is going to go out and try to be your best friend. I have my friends, and I surf because it's what I have always loved doing. No one really said shit when I was winning about how I acted. Now that I have a bad year, everyone is asking me to change, so let me tell you guys this: I have been on tour for the past 12 years. I have won 3 titles, and come runner-up who f**kin cares how many times. Do any of you people ever think about how draining it is to travel all year long, going to the exact same places, when the waves seem to almost always be shitty, trying to keep a winning attitude? You don't see anyone giving Bruce shit about going off tour or losing in France with a 2, but that's 'cause he never acted like he cared. Figure that shit out... You are on tour to win, and anyone who is on tour that says they don't want to win is just saying that to make themselves feel better about losing. Dane might be an exception, 'cause he's a little weird like that, but aside from him everyone cares. Saying they don't is just a disclaimer. I don't want to be one of those guys who says they don't care, just staying somewhere in the top ten for a few more years. I want to win everything, or I don't even want to be there. Right now. I am at a point where it doesn't even matter what the waves are like. I just don't want to be there, and I don't want to put a jersey on. "I don't want to be one of those guys who says they don't care, just staying somewhere in the top ten for a few more years. I want to win everything, or I don't even want to be there."
--Andy Irons
You've gone into the Hawaii leg of the WCT knowing someone else is winning the title before. Do you plan on surfing the Pipe Masters this year? 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. Any plans yet for the 2009 ASP season? I don't know. Is there such thing as having a plan with no plans at all? Has your brother's decision to retire from full-time ASP competition affected your perspective on the tour? Everyone keeps asking me that. I started off saying no, but thinking about getting stuck somewhere like Bells while Bruce is getting perfect waves somewhere is going to drive me crazy. So I guess yeah... It has affected me. A lot of fans were upset by your no-show in round two in France. A common complaint was "Would Kobe Bryant not show up to a game?" Do you feel like you have an obligation to your fans or the ASP to show up at events? If Kobe were going to have a meltdown on live TV, I am pretty sure that the coaches would allow him some time off for "personal reasons" to avoid the obvious. Everyone is up my ass about it, so I would imagine Kobe would get all sorts of media heat and the paparazzi would be following him documenting and making their own stories up about what those "personal reasons" might be. Aside from photogs following Lyndie and I to the movies, I am going through the same shit media wise, but this is the first real interview I have done in probably 8 months because I never really knew what my deal was. I am doing this interview for the ASP, and for the fans, but I am doing it for myself too 'cause I am finally comfortable enough to do it. I want you guys to know what has been going through my head, and make you understand why I have been holing myself up in my hotel rooms at every event, only leaving the room to go surf a heat and then going right back under shelter to avoid the questions, or potential run-ins. Creepy, right? I don't know why. I used to love freesurfing, and cruising with all the boys. It's just not the same now. You started out 2008 with renewed focus. Did losing twice in a row to Kelly at the beginning of this season have any effect on your desire to compete? I have always said, "I can't get mad at losing if the guy I lost to wins the contest." Not saying I always followed that rule, but f**k, it sounds good right? Nah, serious... Losing to him didn't affect my desire to compete. Judging by body language, you seemed pretty frustrated during losses at Ulus and Trestles. Is that frustration carrying over to your life after heats, or are you leaving it at the beach? I wish I could tell you that I am leaving it on the beach, but you all know that I am full-on at whatever I do. If I am pissed off leaving the beach after a bad heat, I'm probably not the guy who is going to help your grandma across the street later that afternoon. Depending on why I lost, you used to have to give me at least a day to cool the jets. This year it feels like I have been taking those bad moods all the way across oceans to the next event with me, and I can't figure out why. During your reign as World Champ, your rivalry with Kelly Slater seemed to spur you on to great performances. Would you like to battle him for the title next season, or is that no longer a priority in your life? If I get into it 100% again, yeah I know I can take him down. Right now though, I just want to get my head back on, and fall in love with surfing again for myself. I can leave it to you guys to talk up the rivalry, and world title stuff. Would I kill all of your guys' dreams if I told you that Kelly and I are actually friends? If you don't compete for the title next season, what would your priority be? Living a happy life is my main priority. You guys may think I am selfish for "wasting my talent" by staying away from events for a bit, but I am finally at a comfortable place where I can honestly say, if you guys see me out on tour again it's because I am there to win, and I'm going to go 100%. If you don't see me on tour, it's because I have found happiness away from winning, and that might be the biggest achievement I could ever accomplish. Can you envision a scenario when you're not on tour, and what would that look like to you? Getting the best waves around the world with guys like Bruce, Shane-O and Rasta would be sick. I have never dealt with an open calendar, and to think I could take off to places like Tahiti, and P-Pass on a days notice to get barreled sounds like a dream to me. You've always been pegged as the ultimate competitive animal. You've gotten older, won three titles - has that changed for you? Yeah, it really has changed. Those titles were my life goal, but I've realized getting them is a type of temporary happiness. It would all reset as soon as you got to Snapper the following year. So I am not the guy who wants to eat you for breakfast anymore when we are in heats together. That shit will drive you crazy, if you stay in that mode for too long. Take my word for it, or just keep making up your own theories. SURFLINE HOME PAGE MORE SURF NEWS |
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Comments: (500)
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
Geoff 10/16/2008 06:00 AM
That Blue Horizon movie did crystalise opinion either for or against AI. But the opinion is a comment on the viewer not the subject. Just like your character determines whether John Lennon or Paul McCartney is your favourite Beatle. I'd have to say that only one surfer looked like a prick in Blue Horizon ... and that wasn't AI. aside from the fact he rips, I like the fact he wears his heart on his shoulder and is not hypocritical enough to hide his stoke at the downfall of a rival.
pedro from portugal 10/16/2008 04:40 AM
I admire AI no matter what.I love to see guys like AI and kelly winning, focous and strong all the time.. but as like Kelly needed to retire for a couple of years from tour, maybe its AI time to go out the tour to reaper stronger..like Kelly did. Every champions and genial competitors of all sports need some time out and figure out some things of their one. Good luck AI, hope you'll stay around ASP tour with your excelente surf for our joy!!
Julian 10/16/2008 02:38 AM
You don't know how good you've got it till its gone, take a leaf from Bethany Hamilton & have a go ya mug !
Dan 10/16/2008 01:39 AM
Bottom line: you're the only guy I've seen Slater visibly intimidated by. It would be great to see that tension again as he tries to round out his career victories. That being said, I would love to see him attain that goal, but not without being contested. This year is a bust, so get it together and make it exciting again next year. Good luck.
Clarksurfarthawaii 10/16/2008 01:11 AM
Yeah Andy! All is good you will always be a part of the progress of the sport by what you have already done. Anything more is just cream brah. You deserve a break from the bulls**t. Everybody who downs you are just fags to be smoked. Take care of your hot wife and progress the sport by doin' it when you feel like it. If Billabong is cool,and Lyndie is cool, good enough. Stay positive, stay true to you. Aloha, CT
Christian Williams 10/16/2008 12:40 AM * PREMIUM MEMBER - Real Name
Andy nailed it, titles and all that is temporary happiness... The guy is human and is searching for a love that doesn't fade. I'm praying for my little brother.
Maki 10/15/2008 11:13 PM
Surfing is a drug -- it turns a cool chap on the beach into a fiending dog in the water. People need to get their fix or they go crazy. AI has O.D. and he needs to get some perspective. We can all understand that . . . if you can't you probably need to detox too.
Kaimana 10/15/2008 10:50 PM
Andy you will always be the greatest power surfer ever!!! Take a break get your mind healthy and compete again when your into it. Your my favorite surfer and hero, your the only surfer to consistently dominate Slater three years in a row and dominate pipe! Andy your a legend!
Nice and EASC 10/15/2008 10:42 PM
Andy look back brah.. you left quite a wake..
jim 10/15/2008 10:32 PM
AI is the best..always will be...ever since seeing raw irons..knew it
Matt Sitzmann 10/15/2008 09:58 PM
I can't believe he thinks he can take Kelley Slater down if he wanted to. If so, then do it every year AI. As to his comments regarding the Dream Tour, doesn't the ASP have ten events total? All spread throughout the year and the waves have proven to be solid more times than not. Still plenty of time to hit perfect barrels with Brucey the rest of the year. I mean, give me a freaking break AI. Grow up, stop making excuses and start beating down people again. Seriosuly bro.
Watman 10/15/2008 08:59 PM
I always thought Andy was a sook! And even though I am not a huge fan of him I still FROTH when I see a section of him in a surf vid! Leave the tour Andy and get back to those golden days that made kooks like myself get stoked on surfing! Yeeeeew!
Alski 10/15/2008 08:47 PM
This is besides the point, but really, no wonder surfers are always depicted as burnout illiterates. The bad grammar, misspellings, and overall horrific butchering of the English language by the comment posters does not help our image at all. Come on people, read a book, study something, learn something. There is more to life than surfing. Maybe that's what Andy wants, to be a more well rounded human being. The more intelligent you are the more you can appreciate how magical it is to ride a wave
ALEXANDER PRICE 10/15/2008 08:23 PM * PREMIUM MEMBER - Real Name
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Good luck Andy and thanks for letting us in on your deal. Hope to see you back on the CT happy.
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