Thousands of people gathered in Hawaii to pay tribute and join in a `paddle-out' for surfer Andy Irons, who was found dead in a Dallas hotel a fortnight ago.
Friends and family of Irons went to Kauai's Hanalei Bay to celebrate the life of the three-time world surfing champion.
Andy's younger brother Bruce led close to 1,000 friends in a paddle out beyond the rising waves to encircle a double-hull canoe that carried Andy's wife Lyndie, his parents and close friends.
On shore, thousands more watched on as Andy's ashes were released into the sea and flowers poured from a helicopter circling above.
