Bruce Irons

📍Hanalei, HI 96714, USA

“Bruce Irons was born in Hanalei, on the north shore of Kauai, in November 1979, the younger brother of Andy Irons, and grew up in the small town by Hanalei Bay, surrounded by taro fields, waterfalls and the steep green mountains of the north shore. His father, Phil, was a surfer, and Bruce started surfing at about seven, following his big brother into the water every day. The Irons brothers grew up surfing the shallow, powerful reefs of Kauai, waves that broke over sharp coral and demanded courage, and they pushed each other relentlessly, as best friends and fierce rivals. Bruce was the more naturally flamboyant surfer, with a loose, creative style and a fearless approach, and he loved launching aerials and charging the biggest waves. As teenagers, the brothers were noticed by a surfboard company and taken to the North Shore of Oahu, where they surfed Pipeline and the other famous breaks, and Bruce quickly became known as one of the most exciting young surfers in Hawaii. In 2001, at twenty-one, he won the Pipeline Masters, one of the most prestigious events in surfing, and in 2004 he won the Eddie Aikau big wave invitational at Waimea Bay. He competed on the world tour, sometimes against his brother, but was best known for his free surfing in films and his bravery in heavy waves. Hanalei is proud of both its Irons brothers.”

Sources: pbs.org Wikipedia: Bruce Irons (surfer)