Words by Elliot Struck

As of this morning, Bruce Irons has signed with RVCA.

In November of 2012, Bruce split with longtime family Volcom, where he’d been for nearly 20 years, helping shape the company’s identity. A month later, he’d been picked up by Fox, which was bittersweet because Bruce had career support, but not from one of surfing’s better brands. Just over a month ago, it came to light that Bruce had parted ways with Fox, which was bittersweet because Bruce wasn’t riding for Fox anymore but now had no support.

But the availability of Bruce’s biggest sticker came at a good time. After some dark years overcoming the death of his brother Andy, the Hawaiian prince was getting back on his game. He was spotted down in Mexico standing in huge sand drains, then in West Oz filming with John John Florence, who believes Bruce has the “Best tuberiding style in the world.” Then there was a mini-part at the end of View From A Blue Moon. Rumours of his impressive physical shape, and his decision to lose the quads and return to thrusters, were heartening. And that Rising Sun-sprayed Eric Arakawa quiver! And then, of course, the hashtag campaign to get Bruce a Pipe Masters wildcard – which ultimately became a reality.

Bruce makes frontside grabs look better than anyone else in surf. WA, earlier this year. Photo: Chris Gurney Bruce makes frontside grabs look better than anyone else in surf. WA, earlier this year. Photo: Chris Gurney

Prior to this year, Bruce’s existence had been that of the roughest diamond. “(Before he died), I didn’t realise my brother was my ultimate drive in surfing,” Bruce told Stab. “My whole surfing world was my brother, that was the only reason I wanted to do good; to beat my brother, make my brother give me a compliment. After he died, for the last five years, I’ve been trying to put the pieces together, of my personal life, everything, it’s been kinda hectic. But in the end, it’s all gonna be positive, because who has a perfect story to tell?”

RVCA, whose team is a beautiful mess of unique characters, already feels like home for Mr Irons. Just imagine a team trip to thumping P-Pass with Jay Davies and Bruce!

“I’m very, very excited to be riding for RVCA," Bruce told Stab. "Pat (Tenore, RVCA boss) was the first person I called when I had a chance to look for sponsorship, when Fox and I parted ways. He was the first because Pat has always been the coolest person to me and my brother, and I’ve always liked their brand – I like their clothes, I like what they stand for. I just know Pat’s a solid person who’ll never change. It’s a breath of fresh air to be riding for a company like this. It almost feels how Volcom was in the beginning, but even better. Because I know Pat’s a good guy, and will always be a good guy.”

“It feels really good to have a new sticker on the board, and a wildcard into Pipe. That was a big reason why I rented this house in front of Pipe: I wanted to be here, I didn’t want to miss anything. In my mind, I knew if I just stayed out here and surfed, shit was gonna happen. It couldn’t have worked out any better.”

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: No doubt Stab isn't alone in our joy at seeing Bruce enjoy some time in the sun.