Puerto Rico come and Gone

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Puerto Rico has come and gone. I sit in the San Juan airport reflecting on what was Puerto Rico for me. The ASP World Tour has been handing out World Titles for 30 years and over half of them were involved at this event. 4 X Stephanie Gilmore. 10 X Kelly Slater. 3 X Andy Irons. Total - 17.

In 1992 Kelly Slater claimed his first World Title in a year I was migrating from Primary to High School. Bordering on my teenage years and raw to teasing I filled in my application form and stated I wanted to be called by my middle name, Nicholas. By 1993 Slater had made my name more acceptable and I liked it. He was my hero, he made my name cool and well he surfed like a World Champ. Seventeen years ago I would never have fathomed the thought that one of my photographs would be the first the world see of Slater being chaired up the beach as a 10 X World Champ.

Stephanie Gilmore joined the ASP World Tour four years ago and taken the title each year since. How many more she will claim is up to her.

Andy Irons claimed three World Titles in '02 - '03 - '04. He passed away on 2 November 2010. He is the only surfer to have ever presented a real challenge to Kelly Slater.

Am I happy to leave Puerto Rico? I am sad to say yes. Its beauty is tainted for me.
I have shed many tears for many reasons. I smile as I turn my back and head to Hawaii.

Our event photos can be seen on the ASP website.

Silverware

Rest in Peace Andy Irons

RIP - AI

He walked up to the window leant down, looked in and said "Hi, I'm Andy Irons". That was 2007 and I was driving to Mundaka. Since then I've had the pleasure of witnessing his brilliance on the ASP World Tour. I never got to see him in his peak, but the Andy flair was there. He stepped off in 2009 for a break and 2010 saw him making a comeback with his first win in three years at Tahiti. The wave where he stands shoulders above the rest.

Yesterday given the chilling news that Andy Irons had passed away stirred up emotions making my moms passing away so very fresh once again. That was 14 August, the day my world came crashing down. Yesterday, 2 November and it feels the same all over again. I cannot call Andy a friend, I don't have that pleasure but I am certain had I made the effort or attempt to befriend more than photographing him on the World Tour we would have perhaps enjoyed a cup of tea and exchanged more than the few words we did. The times at Jeffreys Bay paddling past asking what if his wave was any good or what the score was, each time frozen in awe. He was only two years older than myself yet being in his presence you felt the aura of a hundred year old legend.

A memorial paddle out was held to show the respect and honor of one of the greatest competitors to grace professional surfing. Rest in Peace Andy Irons.

The ASP World Tour photo tribute can be viewed here.

Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay 2010

Jordy Smith and Sean Holmes

Morning pull back and Morning close-up

VIP aerial view and Boardwalk view

Jordy Smith - 2010 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay Champion

As we all know along with the entire surfing world and mainstream media, Jordy Smith won the 2010 Billabong Pro in Jeffreys Bay. Not only did he win his first ASP World Tour event but the first South African to win a modern day World Tour event since Shaun Tomson in the 1980s and his victory coincided with Nelson Mandelas 92nd Birthday.

I had more pressing family issues to attend so I bailed JBay on the second day of competition but from Day 1 to Day 4 conditions were what you would hope and expect for a surfing event of professional level whose swell window spans 12 days.

Sean Holmes was the other South African standout where others faltered. In one day he demoted 12 ASP World Titles to the sidelines. First he upped his tally, Sean Holmes 3 Andy Irons 1 before finally having his chance against Kelly Slater. All in a days work with a sore back sending Slater back to the dry deck and giving Jordy a helping hand to number one in the world. This time saying Jordy is #1 is legit.

Next stop Tahiti.

Sean Holmes Wildcard of all Wildcards

Standard Jeffreys Bay Golden Morning

Two water views not many spectators see

Opening Ceremony Dancing