Contest lay days and free surf sessions on the North Shore.

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North Shore Surfing Part 2 - Images by Travis Rowan>

Despite the continuous rain there were still plenty of nice waves around the North Shore today. I first drove around looking for a nice lineup shot and ended up at Rockpiles. I grabbed a few photos incorporating the warning flags and perfect A-frame peaks rolling in. With an 80-200mm lens I shot the rock piles themselves as a foreground for the nice barrel ride that went on beyond them. It's always good to incorporate the location in the surf image because the locations are part of the surfing lifestyle. Exotic travel, beautiful places, adventure etc. The full cloud cover left the light very diffused which I tend to like. The cool softness works well with the deep moods of the Pacific.

Familiar faces are every where on the North Shore this time of year. Matt Archbold and Danny Fuller were having a look at Rockpiles. Daniel Jones, Steph Gilmore and a Hawaiian Monk Seal at Rocky Point. Mick Fanning, Taylor Knox, Dustin Barca at Backdoor to name a few. It's tough to identify everyone accurately during these free surf sessions so feel free to help out in the comments. I hate to have a bunch of unidentified guys in here. They deserve the recognition.

Three days of photographing on the North Shore and I've got some of my best surf photos so far. More to come...TR

Highlights from the Billabong Pipeline Masters 2010 Day 1 + free surf action.

North Shore Surfing - Images by Travis Rowan

Check out this selection of photos I've shot in the last few days on the North Shore of Hawaii. Click for full screen for the best look at them.

Kelly Slater Wins his 10th World Title! Sports history in Puerto Rico

Kelly Slater wins his 10th World Title - Images by Travis Rowan

Sports history has occurred at the Rip Curl Pro Search Somewhere in Puerto Rico. Nine time world champion and surfing legend Kelly Slater has claimed his tenth world title. Slater secured this unprecedented sporting feat during the ninth event of the 2010 ASP World Tour in Puerto Rico. Kelly Slater has once again secured his position in sporting history placing himself among other greats like Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods. Congratulations to Kelly Slater.

I've been anticipating this moment for the last two years and finally it has come. I was selfishly hoping he would lose his heat today and force the title race on to the Pipeline Masters in Hawaii so I could be there to photograph it. Either way, I'll be there at Pipe in December to shoot the final contest of the year and possibly Kelly's last contest of his amazing career.

Above is a photographic tribute to Kelly Slater from my archive. See you at Pipeline. TR

Former World Champion Surfer Andy Irons Passes Away

Three-time world champion surfer Andy Irons died on Tuesday at the age of 32. photo: © Travis Rowan /mokensurf.com

Sad news today of Andy Irons' untimely death. He is an icon to competitive surfing and his sudden passing is a shock to the surfing world. RIP Andy and condolences to his friends and family.

Official Irons Family Statement:

[The world of surfing mourns an incredibly sad loss today with the news that Hawaii’s Andy Irons has died. Andy was a beloved husband, and a true champion.

Irons, 32, withdrew from a professional surfing event in Puerto Rico last weekend due to illness, and passed away during a layover en-route to his home in Kauai, Hawaii. He had reportedly been battling with Dengue Fever, a viral disease.

At this time the family thanks his friends and fans for their support, and asks that the community respect its privacy. The family also asks to not be contacted so their focus can remain on one another during this time of profound loss.

Irons, who began his career with the elite ASP World Tour in 1998, went on to collect 20 elite tour victories, four Triple Crown of Surfing Titles, three consecutive ASP World Titles and change the sport forever with his unparalleled ability and comprehensive approach to surfing.]

Billabong's Official Statement:

[Official Statement: HONOLULU - (November 2, 2010) -- The world of surfing mourns an incredibly sad loss today with the news that Hawaii's Andy Irons has died. Andy was a beloved husband, and a true champion. Irons, 32,withdrew from a professional surfing event in Puerto Rico last weekend due to illness and passed away during a layover en-route to his home in Kauai, Hawaii. He had reportedly been battling with dengue fever, a viral disease. At this time the family thanks his friends and fans for their support,and asks that the community respect its privacy. The family also asks to not be contacted so their focus can remain on one another during this time of profound loss.

It is with deep sadness that Billabong has learned of the news of Andy Irons’ passing. Andy was one of the greatest surfers of our time. More than that, he was a much loved son, a devoted husband and a soon-to-be father. The thoughts of all Billabong employees worldwide are with wife Lyndie and Andy’s family at this most devastating time.]

The ASP has posted an Andy Irons photo tribute on their site.

Transworld Surf's online article here.