• Andy Irons and success Andy Irons and success Hanalei surfer Andy Irons won his third consecutive world surfing title on Monday, making him only one of three surfers to ever attain such a streak. Irons, who attended public schools
• Andy Irons and success
Andy Irons and success
Hanalei surfer Andy Irons won his third consecutive world surfing title on Monday, making him only one of three surfers to ever attain such a streak.
Irons, who attended public schools on Kaua‘i, is close to being set for life, if he isn’t already, thanks to endorsements for surf wear, prize money from contests and other sources of income derived from his fame as a world-class surfer.
His brother Bruce is also doing well money and fame wise in his own right as a surfer.
The Irons Brothers aren’t the only surfers from Kaua‘i who have made their mark in the global world of surfing. Hanalei-raised Laird Hamilton and Keala Kennelly, South Shore-raised Rochelle Ballard and North Shore teenager Bethany Hamilton are all internationally known.
There is something special about a Kaua‘i upbringing here. With a population the size of a sliver of Honolulu or Los Angeles, we are producing a very disproportionate number of champion surfers.
A number of younger surfers are also on the rise and it’s likely some of them will also find fame and fortune as they mature and begin to compete in surfing contests outside of Kaua‘i.
There is a pattern here that can also bring success to our youth in other fields. The champion surfers took advantage of a resource found on Kaua‘i, were exposed to expert coaching and trained hard day-in-day-out to get to where they are today.
There is no reason academic achievements can’t come from this same pattern. What may be lacking is mentoring and guidance from adults who have made it in various fields.
Congratulations to Andy Irons and his Kaua‘i ‘ohana for again proving he is a world class athlete, and that Kaua‘i is a special island, an island where champions are being raised.
