Kelly Slater -- one of
Andy Irons' greatest surf rivals -- is opening up about the sudden passing of his friend ... saying, "I'm lucky to have known him and had the times we had together."
In a statement, released today, Slater says, "I feel blessed that we worked through the differences we had and I was able to learn what I'm made of because of Andy."
Slater continues ... "He was the most intense competitor I've ever known and one of the most
sensitive people. He had so much life left in him and it hurts to think
about."
Check out the full statement after the jump ...
Sorry girls -- but the sexy surfing piece of man meat that is
Kelly Slater is off the market.
The ladykiller, who's reportedly hooked up with
Gisele Bundchen,
Pamela Anderson, Bar Rafaeli and
Cameron Diaz in the past, broke the bad news to us yesterday: He's got a longtime GF.
Barbra Streisand kept her infamous mug covered outside Madeo ... maybe she doesn't want to subject us
to this again.
Also in L.A.: "Dancing" stars and hasbeens partied at One and Dolce, Kelly Slater tried to sic water-balloon tossing kids on our cameras and Hilary Duff used Villa's curtain cave while her bf hobbled out the front door on crutches.
In NY: Kristi Yamaguchi showed off her mirrorball trophy, as losers Jason Taylor and Cristian de la Fuente stood neaby, Dina and Ali Lohan pimped their show and Debbie Harry went all Rihanna and whipped out an umbrella to keep the camera away.
Reports are saying that professional surfer/
rebound guy Kelly Slater was dating Kirsten Dunst -- looks like someone didn't tell Slater ... and his
actual girlfriend!
TMZ caught Slater at the opening of Burton Snowboards and Channel Islands Surfboards last night, where he told our cameras he is not only NOT dating Dunst -- he's never even met her!
When Gisele Bundchen, Pam Anderson and Cameron Diaz found themselves suddenly single, they all found comfort in the arms of the same man!
What hottie beach bum was there to be their rebound dude?
TMZ TV has the answer.
Surfboard art goes political!
After losing a heat in the Rip Curl surf contest in Chile, reigning eight-time
Foster's ASP World Champion Kelly Slater was photographed rockin' a surfboard with a statement. The board art mockingly puts Abu Ghraib images in the iPod silhouette advertisement style.
Slater is not known for having much to say on anything -- except winning. Guess he does now ... or maybe he just digs the wicked graphics!
It was quite a night for Cameron Diaz's surf stud, Kelly Slater, who celebrated his 35th birthday at Mercedes Grill in Marina del Rey last night. Many famous faces were there, including La Diaz herself -- and Pam Anderson -- who hooked up with the surfer back in the '90s. How modern!
Although the scene was set for an uncomfortable situation, all seemed to remain low-key. Luckily for Kelly, Cam's jealous alter ego was kept at bay. Everybody's gone surfin'.
Cameron Diaz continued her Hawaiian Surf n' Golf tour with pro surfer Kelly Slater.
The athletic twosome were spotted wearing his n' her outfits while enjoying a few holes in Oahu.
Nothing like hitting a few balls to take your mind off a broken heart.
Cameron Diaz got a whole lot of personal attention from surf champion Kelly Slater during a
private surf lesson in Hawaii this week. In fact, the surf god could barely take his eyes off Diaz as the pair shredded waves on the North Shore of Oahu.
As
TMZ first reported, the two have been spending a lot of time together in the wake of Cameron's split from Justin Timberlake. We're told the duo hit various golf courses and restaurants on the island ... and that Diaz is shacking up at Slater's island home.
Cameron was often seen hangin' ten with former flame Justin Timberlake. A distant memory. Cowabunga dude.
The relationship is over, but the drama has just begun -- and it looks like Cameron Diaz is hooking up to make Justin Timberlake jealous.
According to TMZ spies, Cameron is currently camped out on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii with super surf stud and current
ASP World Tour champ Kelly Slater.
We're told the couple shared a romantic oceanfront dinner at Haleiwa Joe's restaurant before heading back to Slater's place. Indeed, we're told Cameron is staying with Slater. The two have been friends for years; Slater even appeared on Cameron's MTV show "Trippin" in 2005.
Other TMZ spies tell us that during the Golden Globes, Cameron kept coming up to Justin's table, trying to engage him in conversation.
Each time she left, a frustrated Justin made it clear he just wanted a clean break.
And
Page Six reports that at an after-party, Cameron went off on Jessica Biel for getting too "close" to Justin.
