Well it’s the end of another year, and I have some reflections. 2010 was not a banner year. In fact, it was less than memorable unless you think about the weird weather…a spring that never showed up, a summer that was more like a fall and well now it’s winter and it does seem like winter even if the climate-change weirdoes predicted La Nina. So much for the science of global warming…err I mean climate change.
So looking back I think the thing I will remember about 2010 (is it “twenty ten,” “two-thousand and ten,” or the newest: “two-ten?”), is that we came out with a great new product with the Ergo. It was great working with the PaddleAir team in creating a new Web site, and marketing plan (yes I know I owe you dealers a couple of calls). For the most part, it was a good year for PaddleAir.
On the downside, the surfing world lost a hero. Andy Irons was more than a great rider, he was an icon and (dare I say) role model. I didn’t know Andy well, but I do know his dad, Phillip, and all his uncles. I was closest to Phillip and Jimmy, and remember when they first moved to Kauai. Phillip was as good as anyone in the water including his brothers, and that’s saying a lot.
When I last visited Kauai, in 2006, I was lucky enough to attend the Irons brothers’ annual Mennehune surf festival. Andy and Bruce put on a great event for the kids and induced all their sponsors to contribute. There were wetsuits, sunglasses, rash guards galore and everyone had a great time. After the meet, Bruce, Andy and fellow pro tour buddy Roy Powers (also a Kauai Boy) went out and gave the crowd an Expression Session at their old home break, Pine Trees. It was awesome, and I left with a feeling that these guys are really giving back to the community where they grew up.
Andy was a one of the good ones and we’ll miss him. Anyway, I’m looking forward to a better year in 2011, and I hope you will too.
-- posted by Herb Torrens
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