The surfing world is mourning the shock death of three-time world champion Andy Irons at the age of 32.

Irons was forced to withdraw from round one of the current Rip Curl Pro Search world championship tour event in Puerto Rico with illness over the weekend, and then flew out of the island.

The American died during a stopover, believed to be in Dallas, Texas, on his way back home to Kauai, Hawaii where he was to seek treatment.

It is believed Irons was battling a severe case of dengue fever, a debilitating viral disease.

He tragically leaves behind pregnant wife Lyndie Dupuis, who is due to give birth within a month.

Surfers and event organisers at the Rip Curl Search in Puerto Rico were devastated after receiving the news.

Irons was a popular surfer on tour who won the world title three straight years between 2002 and 2004 and for many years was the main rival to nine-times world champion Kelly Slater.

He had 20 world tour event wins and is the only surfer to have won at every location on the ASP tour in a terrific 12-year career.

His last event win came in Tahiti in early September.

A statement was released from Irons' family via the ASP World Tour.

"The world of surfing mourns an incredibly sad loss today with the news that Hawaii's Andy Irons has died," the statement read.

"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 lay over en route to his home in Kauai, Hawaii.

"At this time the family sincerely thanks his friends and fans for their support and asks that the community respect their privacy.

"The family also asks not to be contacted so their focus can remain on one another during this time of profound loss."

Rip Curl event organisers were planning to meet shortly to determine whether they should cancel the remainder of the competition or continue on in Irons' honour.

"We're still getting our key people together so there's nothing to really discuss at the moment," event manager Brooke Farris said.

"We haven't made any announcement as such."

Australia's former world champion Mark Occhilupo was left shatterd by the news, describing Irons as one of his best friends.

"(Australian surfer) Joel (Parkinson) rang me this morning... and I just broke down, I went to my wife and couldn't stop crying," the 1999 world champion told Fox Sports.

"It's just really, really heart-wrenching... I'm devastated.

"He was such a vibrant, lovely person to be around."

ASP international media manager Dave Prodan said Irons's death is a massive blow to the world sporting community.

"This is in my opinion one of the most devastating losses, not just to the surfing world, but to the international sporting community in general," he said from Puerto Rico.

"Obviously Andy was more than just a three-time ASP world champion. He was a hero to literally millions of kids who surfed and who didn't surf around the world, and to grown-ups as well.

"I can't imagine the impact this is going to have, but it's certainly something that we will feel the world over for many years to come."

Prodan said the ASP extended its thoughts and sympathies to Irons's family.

He said the world surfing community is like a brotherhood and Australians will be hit hard by the news.

"I can only imagine the impact that they're feeling in Australia - especially close friends such as Joel Parkinson and Mick Fanning," he said.

"I mean, Andy was celebrated the world over and celebrated as one of the best surfers in the world and Australia is a country that reveres surfing, so I can only imagine the entire country is feeling this at the moment."

Prodan said Irons was one of the few surfers to consistently match Slater.

"He was probably the first surfer to challenge him (Slater) and really set the surfing world alight," he said.

"I think people will remember Andy for his unparalleled ability and overall comprehensive approach to surfing.

"He never compromised anything, whether it be his approach, or his competitive tactics or anything."

-AAP