03 Nov Respect:RIPAndyIrons

Kirston Scholz/Getty ImagesAndy Irons at the Bells Beach press conference in March.

According to sources close to the surfer, rumors have been confirmed that three-time World Champ Andy Irons has died today. The cause of death is currently unknown.

Irons missed his Round 1 and 2 heats at the Rip Curl Search Puerto Rico stop on the ASP Men’s World Tour Saturday due to illness and was traveling back home to Hawaii when he passed away.

Irons was arguably the most dominant surfer of the early to mid 2000s. In addition to his world titles, Irons had 19 world tour victories and has the distinction of being the only surfer to have won at every location on the tour. But more significant than the statistics was his reputation as perhaps the only true rival nine-time World Champion Kelly Slater has ever known, and the two engaged in some of the most memorable title races in history.

Irons returned to the World Tour this year after a one-year hiatus. While his results had been up and down, a recent win at the Billabong Pro Tahiti in August signified a return to form in the kind of powerful, barreling surf in which he made his reputation.