Without Andy Irons, pro surfing's nine-time world champ, Kelly Slater would not be such a legend. But then, Andy Irons is a legend of his own with three world titles in the Association of Surfing Professionals.

Andy Irons won a string of three world crowns in 2002, 2003 and 2004. For the final pair, Irons bested the come-back king Kelly Slater. Since 2005, Slater has regained dominance, but Irons has remained to nip at his heels.

Their rivalry is similar to the historic Bill Russell versus Wilt Chamberlain in basketball or Jack Nicklaus versus Arnold Palmer in golf. When Surf Magazine rated pro surfing's all-time rivalries, Andy Irons versus Kelly Slater earned the top spot, even ahead of East Coast versus West Coast and U.S.A. versus Australia.

Andy Irons, at the age of 30, already has gained a place in the Surfing Hall of Fame.

Andy Irons is bigger than the average surfer and in competition sometimes displays a competitive football spirit that caused one analyst to remark, "You might think he's an intense frothing madman." However, his fellow pro surfers say he's really a friendly and fun guy. Andy Irons is even making peace with Kelly Slater after all these years, according to reports.

The size of Andy Irons should not belie his finesse. He grew up on the shores of Kauai, where waves are not always at their peaks. Therefore, he learned to rip and scoot on the two-footers, as well as showcasing on the 12-footers.

Andy Irons is the first to admit that he sold himself short early in his pro career, as a young adult, with too much partying. He was in his early 20s before he finally came into his own.

Big, "frothing" Andy Irons is actually a gentle do-gooder. He joins his surfing brother Bruce Irons each year to throw a free surfing contest for the kids on Kauai called the Irons Brothers Pinetrees Classic.

Still, entering 2009, Andy Irons would like nothing better than to achieve another takedown of Kelly Slater.

Sources:
http://www.redbullsurfing.com/riders/andy-irons/
http://www.lat34.com/surf/andy_irons.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Irons
http://www.worldprosurfers.com/andy-irons/index.htm
http://blogs.zappos.com/blogs/rideshop/2009/01/09/surfer-of-the-week-kelly-slater

Persistence paid off for surfboarder Nathaniel Curran, 24, who will join the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Tour during 2009.

The ASP annually operates the World Qualifying Series, with the top 15 qualifying to join pro surfing's Dream Tour during the following season. This is similar to minor league baseball or golf's Nationwide Tour. Nathaniel Curran is the top qualifier, running up one of the most consistent seasons in the history of the ASP's World Qualifying Series.

Nathaniel Curran faced added pressure, to measure up to accomplishments of two older siblings. Tim Curran, now retired, was among the top performers on pro surfing's Dream Tour, best known for performing a full flip in two-foot surf in 2005, who is now a successful musician. Josh Curran has made some sensational surfing videos, although he is better known for ranking among world leaders in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques.

"Both of my brothers, Josh and Tim, have been a big help, from helping picking contests to videotaping my heats online," Nathaniel Curran says. "They helped me see how bad I was blowing it in heats."

The Currans hail from Oxnard in California's Ventura Beach area. Nathaniel Curran started surfing when he was 5 years old, and turned pro when he was 18. Injuries contributed to his slow development to qualify for the ASP's World Tour. He says he feels "revenge" in overcoming those injuries.

It was a matter of "determination, staying focused and trying to make enough money to keep my house," Curran says.

His success has been hard won.

"I can't wait for all of them," Curran said, referring to events on the ASP's World Tour for 2008. "Surfing at the best spots in the world ... I really just can't wait for the first comp."

Surfers who qualified behind Curran are Chris Davidson of Australia, Michel Bourez of French Polynesia, Gabe Kling of the United States, Jihan Khodr of Brazil, David Weare of South Africa, Josh Kerr of Australia, Nic Muscroft of Australia, Kekoa Bacolso of the United States, Greg Emslie of South Africa, Tim Boal of France, Dustin Barca of the United States, Tiago Pires of Portugal, Phillip MacDonald of Australia and Drew Courtney of Australia.

Sources:
http://www-pulse/catching-up-with-nathaniel-curran-interview-101408/
http://surfactants-up-with-future-asp-world-tour-rookie-nathaniel-curran/
http://ones-curran/
http://denitrified