What It Takes.

As a teenager Andy Irons was heralded as the next Kelly Slater. Last season the 24-year-old native of Kauai, Hawaii, justified the hype by winning his first world surfing title. In 2003 he has continued to barrel through opponents, with three wins in five starts entering next week's Billabong Pro in South Africa. Here's what he's bringing to his third continent this season. I'm saving this Hawaiian Island Creations surfboard for my next big contest, in Jeffrey's Bay, South Africa, because it helped me take the $30,000 first prize at the Quiksilver Pro at Nii-jima Island, Japan, in late June. I've got more than 80 surf videos, and "Ahead: the Movie" is in heavy rotation. When I'm running to catch a flight, I use the DaKine Ultimate Traveler bag and cruise past the dudes who are trying to balance their boards on skateboards and carts. I get Maxim for the articles. I like to know who's having sex with whom, the good beers to get when I travel to other countries and bar jokes to tell to keep my friends amused. I read every issue from cover to cover to keep me occupied on those long, boring flights.