Throngs of Bruce Irons supporters have taken to social media to call for his inclusion in the Billabong Pipe Masters, an event named after his late brother. Photo: Instagram
Of all the “Pipe Specialists” out there, few are held in awe like the inimitable Bruce Irons. At once graceful yet reckless. Equal parts ballsy and calculated. From groms studying the final section of The Bruce Movie (Motorhead + Bruce = gold) to the Banzai’s big shots themselves, Bruce is revered as a rockstar out at Pipe. So it’s no surprise that there’s a push to get Bruce the wildcard entry into the spot’s main event, the Billabong Pipe Masters.
As the waiting period for the World Tour’s final contest approaches (Dec. 8th-20th), a hashtag supporting Bruce’s inclusion in the contest has gained some steam on social media. #Bruce4PipeMastersWildcard sparked up on Instagram along with an image of Bruce throwing double shakas while resting over his brother’s signature Billabong Rising Sun emblem. So far a string of pros and surf industry folk have posted the image including Kolohe Andino, Strider Wasilewski, and Shane Beschen.
No word from Bruce on the matter (yet). Although last year, he used his Instagram account as a vehicle to berate Billabong and the WSL for not including him in the event. Not only is Bruce one of the best of all time out at Pipe and Backdoor, but the event is named after his fallen brother for chrissake! The Billabong Pipe Masters, In Memory of Andy Irons. Needless to say, the surf world was not pleased, and neither was Bruce. Anger, sadness, defeat – here’s his post:
Bruce Irons Instagram Post
In today’s day and age, social media has become a tool for a range of things. Some trite and superficial (#Twerk, @MileyCyrus, etc.). And some meaningful and impactful on social change (#BlackLivesMatter, #FreeTheNipple). The hashtag is still in the baby steps of its viral development, yet, it’ll be interesting to see how it takes hold. Perhaps if enough people get behind it, Bruce will get the slot he deserves out at Pipe with the world’s best. After a few rocky years since his brother’s death, Bruce finally appears to be on his way back. And wouldn’t a solid showing in a World Tour event be the best way to prove that?
