Lyndie, left, and Axel, far right, with family friends. Photo: Billabong
Andy Irons is, without question, a surfing icon. There’s no doubt about it. The three-time world champ was one of the most progressive surfers of his time and the surf world was constantly in awe of the power, emotion, and spontaneity that he brought to the sport.
Irons tragically passed away in 2010, at just 32 years old. During the last years of his life, he was navigating mental health and substance-abuse issues and fighting to keep his spot on tour. But like many heroes, if you really take a look at the person behind the mask, Irons was perfectly imperfect. He was undeniably an incredible surfer, but he also fought his own demons. And that’s what made him so relatable.
Everything Irons did, he did with his whole heart. He partied hard, laughed loud, and surfed powerfully. At the time of Irons’ death, his wife Lyndie was eight months pregnant with their son. On December 8, 2010, Axel Irons was born. Through Axel, Lyndie, and their friends and family, Andy’s legacy was kept alive.
On January 17, 2026, at the CORE/Hawaii Surfing Museum on Oahu’s North Shore, Irons’ longtime sponsor, Billabong, hosted an event honoring his life and legacy some 15 years after his death. The event included photos of Irons’ travels, live music, food and drinks, and films of Irons doing what he did best: absolutely tearing waves apart. Although there was some controversy centered around Billabong at the time of Irons’ death, the brand has remained loyal to the Irons family. In attendance were Lyndie and Axel, Joel Parkinson, Occy, Shane Dorian, Laura Enever, and the entire North Shore surf community. Hugs were exchanged, stories were shared, and new memories were made.
The event also marked the launch of the first-ever Billabong x Andy Irons Signature Collection, inspired by gear Irons wore during his competitive prime. Proceeds from the collection will be donated to the Andy Irons Foundation, which is centered around community based programs for young people struggling with addiction, mental illness, and learning disabilities.
Amongst the celebration, I had a chance to sit down with Lyndie for a quick catch-up. Adorned with leis and flashing that ever-stunning smile, Lyndie shared what it was like to travel with Irons during the height of his career, the work she’s doing at the Andy Irons Foundation, and how Andy lives on through their son, Axel. At times her eyes misted up, but the smile never left her face – their life together was a good one.
What was it like for you being married to Andy at the height of his career?
I met him when I was 21 and he was in the middle of his second world title race, so I just jumped on tour. I remember going with him to France, and then I traveled with him to every stop for the rest of our relationship. It was so wild, it’s hard to even explain. I went from a normal life to him winning every contest and going back and forth with Kelly [Slater]; it was very surreal. Those were the best years of my life.
What does it mean to you today to have Billabong honoring Andy’s legacy and launching a collection in his name?
I’m so thankful. They haven’t done anything in years, but I’ve always still been a part of the family for 20-plus years, even after Andy passed. So, I’m really thankful that they’re doing it again, and this is literally the best collection yet; everyone is really excited.
It’s also fun being back with my old crew. This is who I used to travel on tour with, like Joel Parkinson, Occy, and Shane [Dorian]. We just traveled from Kauai to here, and I felt like we were on a little tour stop.
Andy was such a progressive surfer. What do you think he’d be doing today if he were still here?
I don’t know. I feel like even watching surfing today, people are striving to do what he did. So, I can’t even imagine if he were still here. He’d be happy surfing with his friends.
Do you think Andy would be retired or still hopping into events like Kelly Slater?
I hope so. Kelly’s rad. I love that Kelly is still doing what he’s doing. But I think Andy would have loved to retire in Kauai – his dream for sure, especially with Axel.
What type of work are you doing at the Andy Irons Foundation?
I do a lot of community-based events on Kauai. I raise a lot of money for kids who have learning disabilities and mental health issues and stuff. It’s been amazing. I started right before COVID, so it was hard to get programs going, but now I’m in a really good motion and have some exciting stuff coming up. I’m loving it. It’s been for sure the best chapter of my life.
Does it mean a lot to you to be helping people who may be facing similar challenges as Andy?
Oh, 100 percent. And that’s the reason I started it. Where I live on Kauai, where Andy was born and raised, there still is not any help. There aren’t any programs or anything, so that is why I started the foundation. On February 1, I’m doing a walk/run on the North Shore for mental health. I’m trying to raise money for kids that are having mental issues. It’s a year-to-year program, and they can have therapy or have a big brother or big sister take them surfing or horseback riding.
Do you see a lot of Andy in Axel?
Yes, definitely. I see him every day. I’m so lucky. He looks just like him and acts like him; he makes me laugh every day. He surfs, but he’s really into dirt biking right now, which I would have never guessed. But he’s really obsessed with it and really loving it.
What legacy do you think Andy left behind and do you hope to keep alive?
I wish he was here to see it. Before he passed, it was harder for him falling off the tour and then coming back on. All that stuff that he worked through, I think made his legacy. He got through a lot of struggles, and that’s why I started the foundation, so I’m kind of continuing his legacy. I think he would just be so happy to know that people still want to wear his boardshorts and the foundation in his name is helping people.
You seem to really be enjoying it all.
I’m just really thankful for Billabong and the whole surf community. I think that part of my healing process has been to be a part of this amazing community. Everybody keeps the spirit alive, and I feel like I’m the healthiest that I could possibly be because I’m in the surf community that’s filled with so much love. I’m very thankful.
