Surfers raise their arms in honour of the late Andy Irons (Haw) during a paddle out memorial service held at Middles Beach in Porta Del Sol, Puerto Rico today.

Irons’s friends Roy Powers (HAW) and Dusty Payne (HAW)  lead the paddle out followed by fellow ASP World Tour surfers, friends, industry representatives and fans who carried bouquets of flowers which were scattered into the ocean in rememberance of the late Andy Irons (HAW).

AI Memorial Paddle Out from Surfing Life on Vimeo.

Irons won three  ASP World Championship title in 2002, 2003, and 2004 and was the only true rival to 9X ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA). He is survived by both his parents, his brother Bruce and pregnant wife Lindy.

story via billabong

The 32-year-old was found by a hotel employee around 10:00 this morning.

According to reports, Irons had planned to travel back to his home in Hawaii — but fell ill and that’s why he booked his room in Dallas.

Law enforcement tells us an official cause of death has not been determined.

UPDATE: The Irons family has released a statement saying, “[Andy] had reportedly been battling with dengue fever, a viral disease.”

Story developing…

story via TMZ

also see story at ESPN

photo via LATIMES