Former three-time world champion Andy Irons of Kaua'i will take a one-year sabbatical from the ASP World Tour in 2009.

He has been assured a spot on the 2010 tour.

"Andy Irons requested and was granted an ASP Tour wildcard for 2010," ASP president Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew said in a press release. "Andy cited personal reasons for not participating in the full tour in 2009, however, he may participate in certain events as an event wildcard."

Irons, 30, finished the 2008 tour ranked No. 13. He did not win any contests, and skipped three events late in the year. It was the first time since 2000 that he did not finish in the top 10 of the final ratings.

Irons won the world title in 2002, '03 and '04.

"Andy will be sorely missed in 2009, and we look forward to him contending again from 2010," Bartholomew said.

Bruce Irons, Andy's younger brother, previously announced his retirement from the ASP World Tour at the end of 2008.

Without the Irons brothers, there will be four Hawai'i surfers on the 2009 ASP World Tour: Fred Patacchia Jr. of O'ahu's North Shore, Kekoa Bacalso of Mililani, and Kaua'i surfers Dustin Barca and Roy Powers.

BARTHOLOMEW STEPS DOWN AS ASP LEADER

Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew announced his resignation this week as president of the Association of Surfing Professionals.

Bartholomew served as ASP president for 10 years.

He was a former world champion surfer out of Australia, and during his tenure as president, he helped move several surfing events to ideal wave locations such as Tahiti and Fiji.

"I have a deep affinity with professional surfing and my personal journey has run a parallel course with the evolution of the sport," he said. "This leaves me with a feeling of deep satisfaction and I am confident about the future of the sport of professional surfing."

SIX SURFERS PICKED EARLY FOR PIPELINE

Six Hawai'i surfers have already been extended invitations to the 2009 Billabong Pipeline Masters.

The early invitations were based on the results of a peer poll.

The six are Reef McIntosh, Kamalei Alexander, Danny Fuller, Marcus Hickman, Kalani Chapman and Jamie O'Brien.

There are still eight spots open for Hawai'i surfers. Those spots will go to the top finishers at the HIC Pipeline Trials, which is expected to run next week at the Banzai Pipeline.

The 14 Hawai'i surfers will then get to surf against the 45 surfers from the ASP World Tour at the Pipeline Masters in December.