Surfers Paddle Out in Memory of Andy Irons

Fresh-cut flowers adorned a group of paddle boards at El Porto Beach on Saturday morning as surfers gathered to remember three-time surfing champion Philip Andrew "Andy" Irons.

The star of a surfing family, Irons died Nov. 2 after reportedly battling severe dengue fever, a viral disease. In the surfing world, he had captured three ASP World Tour surfing titles from 2002 to 2004, among a long list of other accolades. Irons was slated to compete in Puerto Rico before the illness forced him to withdraw. 

Saturday's memorial included a circle where participants shared their thoughts and anecdotes about Irons. Afterward, the group members paddled out and tossed their flowers into the ocean amid a chorus of "Aloha Andy!"

"We've heard of paddle outs happening all over the world and all over California as a tribute to Andy, whether or not you knew him personally," said Mark Chu of Christian Surfers South Bay.

Irons leaves behind a wife, Lyndie Dupuis, who is seven months pregnant with their first child.

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