Five Things We Learned From Chapter 3 Of ‘Andy Irons And The Radicals’

Watch chapter one of Andy Irons and The Radicals here.
Watch chapter two of Andy Irons and The Radicals here.
Watch chapter three of Andy Irons and The Radicals here.

Episode 3 of ‘Andy Irons And The Radicals’ dropped last week. I don’t want your excuse for missing it; just catch up below. And stay tuned for the fourth and final episode, airing this Thursday.

The Battle of Andy Irons and Taj Burrow.

The duo bumped heads publicly in contests and privately in a complicated friendship. They went head to head for a coveted Taylor Steele film spot. Then, the two were forced to play nice when Andy signed to Billabong. Taj says, “He was such a cunt to me, but I couldn’t help but love him.”

You have to learn the game.

A cocky 18-year-old AI fell off tour quickly. He came back the following year by leading a competitive crusade, with an “I’m going to win three world titles in a row,” kind of vengeance. Taj Burrow, Mick Fanning, and Joel Parkinson all felt Andy’s wrath, as did Kelly Slater in their historic 2003 Title showdown.

The crew had money for the first time.

Prize purses for surfing contests increased dramatically at this time, and the majority of checks were going to Andy Irons or Shea Lopez. The boys learned how to blow most of a $12,000 US Open check in one night…in San Clemente.

Backside tube riding; specifically, ass dragging.

Did they invent it? It depends on who you ask. There’s no doubt they perfected it. Backside barrels became an advantage— they were deeper and showcased knifing drops instead of standard bottom turn to barrels. They also allowed you to regulate your speed more easily.

Teahupo’o.

The wave wears the boys pushed their boundaries. Late take-offs, airdrops, and tail slides all converging over one of the world’s shallowest shelves. The best way to learn a reef break? Pay your dues and get dragged across it. You’ll piece the puzzle together eventually.

You still reading this? Just watch the damn thing already.