An ancient Hindu savant once opined that the rivalry between brothers is the most intense and pure form of rivalry. Truer words were never crudely inscribed on the wall of a Himalayan cave dwelling. Although, actually, the same ancient Hindu savant also once opined, inscribing his opinions on the very same wall, that he who deciphers the shifting sands of the French beach break is one step closer towards enlightenment, and that is also very true.

And so it was that in 2004, brothers Andy and Bruce Irons met in a world tour final for the very first time, at a French beach break called la Nord, where the sands had shifted very nicely into place. The surf was huge and the duel was epic and it was Andy who emerged victorious, 17 points to 12. Later that year Andy would claim his third successive world title, and the following year his third successive Quik Pro France, demonstrating a mastery of the shifting French sands that remains unequalled.