Best Sections of All-Time: Andy Irons in Blue Horizon

When you think of Andy Irons’ most iconic rides, which ones come to mind?

His perfect 10 at Backdoor to steal the world title against Slater? Or the photo of his bottom turn at Pipeline on the Rising Sun board? Or perhaps one of the countless boundary-breaking rides from Teahupoo?

There is one of those moment from Teahupoo that stands out most to me: The ultra-late tail drop in Blue Horizon — film that Jack McCoy made following Andy and Rasta for two years to show their different paths as competitive and free surfers. It was a controversial one at the time because Andy didn’t like being labeled a “comp guy” — even though he dominated every comp he entered. We all knew he was more than that too.

Anyway, this trip to Tahiti was the first time Andy and Rasta had ever crossed paths during filming. They were staying at the same house at the End of the Road. Bombing swell on tap for the Billabong Pro so the boys got out there early one morning to get a look at the monster tubes. About the biggest Teahupoo you could paddle into at that point and they both, along with Bruce [Irons], pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible. In the end, it was Bruce that egged Andy on into one of his most iconic rides ever.

Jack McCoy made the claim: “This wave is the defining moment in Andy’s career. A confidence boosting show of strength that demonstrates to the surfing world that Andy is the man to beat.”

Well, he wasn’t wrong. Andy went on to win the event in Tahiti and the World Title later that year. And, thanks to sessions like this one at Teahupoo with Rasta and Bruce, we still don’t think of him as just a “comp guy.” Andy was always just The Guy.—Brandon Guilmette