15th Annual Irons Brothers Pintrees Classic

The Garden Island newspaper published the following article covering the 15th annual Irons Brothers Pinetrees Classic. View the original article (and contest results) at http://thegardenisland.com/sports/surfing/grommets-going-off/article_4007d056-03d3-5631-97a5-6cb7229fce7a.html

Saturday was a day to remember as the 15th annual Irons Brothers Pinetrees Classic took place.

This year started off with more than 220 entries, 100 in the 8-under division.

The Irons Brothers Pinetrees Classic was started 15 years ago by Andy and Bruce Irons, along with their family, to give back to the community. What started as an idea soon grew into an event that is one of the biggest and most-anticipated amateur contestd on Kauai.

The event is designed and aimed toward unranked kids 12 years old and younger from Kauai. It is a free contest with the exception of a donation of a canned good from each participant, which is given to the Kauai Food Bank. This year, as in years past, a couple hundred pounds of canned food was donated though the event.

Before the sun peaked over the mountain top in Hanalei, families, friends, loved ones and volunteers had already filled the beach. The waves were two to three feet and it was set up to be a perfect day at Pinetrees.

As the contest started, families and friends cheered for their favorite. Smiles, and laughter echoed in between the sound of the ocean as good vibes flowed throughout the contest site. It was more of a family day at the beach with a friendly competition to go with it.

The day went on without a hiccup. The 8-under division was one of the highlights with 100 entries. Kids were smiling as they rode waves all the way to the sand and they listened to the crowd go wild. Proud parents lined the beach.

This year finished off with a huge awards ceremony led by Bruce Irons, Andy’s wife Lyndie Irons, and proud parents Phil and Danielle Irons.

They thanked everyone for the years of support and were greeted with a standing ovation. The Iron’s family passed out prizes and trophies to all finalists donated by the many sponsors that once again made the event happen.

The ceremony was finished off by giving away five new surfboards donated by longtime sponsor and local surf shop Tamba Surf Company. Big Mahalos to all the sponsors and volunteers. Thank you Tamba Surf Co, RVCA, Billabong, YMCA Kauai, Sunbum, DC Shoes, and the rest of the many sponsors, without you none of this would be possible. And a huge mahalo and aloha to the island of Kauai for all your support and love.