Surf meets opioids: The Andy Irons story

Spokane is about as far from the surfing world as you can get and still be in the state of Washington. Yet, a bit of that world is coming to the Inland Northwest tonight.

The event is a screening of "Andy Irons: Kissed by God," a documentary film by Bruce Irons, Irons' older brother.

If you don't know the name — and I didn't — Andy Irons was a three-time World Surf League champion who rivaled Kelly Slater — whose name I do know — for the title of world's best surfer. Irons, who won world titled in 2002 through 2004, died in 2010.

Besides surfing, the cause of Irons' death is the other important aspect to the documentary. The surfer had battled with bipolar disorder and with opioid addiction, the latter of which reportedly contributed to a fatal heart attack.

The documentary, which will screen at 7 tonight at Regal Cinemas' theaters at Northtown Mall and at Coeur d'Alene's Riverstone Stadium, features a special introduction, a Q&A with the filmmakers and Irons' family and friends and an expert on opioid addiction.