It felt way more personal than it should have. It knocked the wind out of me. Even though I didn’t know him and had only briefly met him a handful of times. He had been one of my heroes since I was a grommet and it rocked me. We were also the same age, and I guess it opened a door to my own mortality in some way. Another factor may be that I have lost friends in much the same way as Andy died, and it felt like it had happened again. Then there was his beautiful wife and as yet unborn son Axel left behind, the tragedy was overwhelming. And of course brother Bruce, to lose a close sibling must be indescribable.
There were many factors that contributed to Andy’s death. Yes there were drugs, but there was also the pressure of being in the spotlight while suffering through bi-polar disorder and anxiety.
This documentary, funded via kickstarter to avoid and corporate politics, which may derail it’s ambition, aims to set the record straight and deliver the truth of Andy’s death once and for all.
Here is the Teaser … the link to the full triler can be found below
The Press release reads:
The film is the life story of three-time world champion surfer Andy Irons who died at age 32 from a heart attack with the secondary cause being an acute mixture of drugs. Andy and brother Bruce came from humble beginnings on the small Hawaiian island of Kauai. The film chronicles Andy’s struggles with dyslexia, bi polar disease, self-medication, addiction, fame, failure, and success. Andy was the blue collar, “people’s champ” of surfing who dealt with issues that millions of people around the world struggle with every day. Andy died on Nov 2, 2010. His wife Lyndie, was eight months pregnant with their first child.
The Kickstarter campaign is being launched to support the film’s ongoing post-production and finishing touches. The rewards offered through Kickstarter will be a collection of limited edition film merchandise, limited edition AI Forever merchandise, limited edition TGR merchandise, signed Bruce Irons boards, used Andy Irons boards, VIP surf experiences around the world and more. The campaign is intended to engage the community in support of Andy Irons and the power of his story.
Filmmakers Steve and Todd Jones of TGR wanted to create a film that captured the true essence of Andy Irons, told through stunning footage and unabashedly honest testimony by the family and friends who knew him best.
For Bruce Irons, Andy’s younger brother, the film’s production has been cathartic. “It will get into the good days and the dark days,” says Bruce. “It has definitely been touchy for me, but it has also been therapeutic. We aren’t going to sugarcoat it. We’re going to tell the whole story. At the end of the day I hope it can be a positive thing for young kids coming up in the sport.”
The film will be released in early 2017.
The teaser sits above, but the full preview can be viewed here
And if you wish you can donate to the project here
