RIP: Phil (Father of Bruce and Andy) Irons

Phil Irons, father of two surfing greats of the modern-ish era, Bruce and Andy, has died.

He is survived by his son, Bruce; Axel, his grandson from his late son, Andy; and Andy’s former wife, Lyndie, who posted the following commemoration.

Following the news, the surf world poured in its remembrances and condolences.

“Papa Phil ??,” Lyndie wrote.

“grief is a b*tch. been MIA for a bit sifting through my heartache of losing axels special grandpa. even though we know it was coming it doesn’t make it easier. axel and papa Phil made a pact these last few months leading up to his passing that anytime axel was in hanalei he needed to run in the house and give him a hug. Axel is a man of his word and made that happen with not one complaint. We spent as much time as we could together.

“I wrote papa Phil my favorite memory in a card and he told me that it was his favorite memory together too. When Andy was here and surfing hours on top of hours like he always did. And I would find myself in papa Phil’s house on Weke rd and we would talk for hours about surfing. I Enjoyed every minute. I moved to kauai at 21 but mostly lived on the road but when I was on Kauai in papa Phil’s house it felt like home.

“papa phil loved his boys deeply and helped them in every aspect of their surfing career. He was a sweet soft loving man that loved us so much. I’m so thankful to have had Phil and Danielle all these years. I miss him deeply. when I just got in my truck at the airport yesterday something had died I think in the engine?? and I went to pick up my phone to call papa Phil to to see what I should do and than burst into tears.

“He has been more of a dad in my adult years. Feels so sad and lonely without him here on Kauai. I can feel his happiness up there with Andy and it makes me smile and cry. Just miss papa Phil and will try to take the lessons he taught me and use them always.

“Life is so precious. Love your people hard. Thank you to all the people that reached out to me this last month. Love you all ??”

Surf world luminaries chirped in the comments:

“So sad to hear Phil passed. Had some great chats over the years. Sending lots of love to you and Axel.” – Mick Fanning

“Loved him so much. the ultimate crazy 8s partner” – Coco Ho

“One of the kindest humans I ever met. In ‘96 he took me under his roof for a month when I was only supposed to be there 5 days. The way he loved those boys was special to witness.” – Selema Masekela

So the story goes, per Matt Warshaw’s Encyclopedia of Surfing, Phil:

“Moved to Kauai in 1970 and spent two years living out of a beachside tent on a diet of rice, bananas, and avocados.”

He then welcomed Andy and Bruce, two of the greatest to ever do it.

And the rest is history.

RIP, Papa Phil.

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