ISABELA, Puerto Rico » Surfer Kelly Slater of Florida won a record 10th world title at the Rip Curl Pro Search yesterday.

The 38-year-old scored two barrels in the first 5 minutes of his heat against Brazilian Adriano de Souza, earning a perfect 10 from two of five judges.

Officials suspended the Rip Curl event for two days to honor Slater’s rival, Hawaii’s Andy Irons. Irons had withdrawn from the event last weekend and was found dead Tuesday in a Dallas hotel room while on a layover en route to his home on Kauai.

"It’s mixed emotions," Slater told the Associated Press. "I would definitely trade one for the other."

Slater said he talked to Irons before they traveled to Puerto Rico.

"He gave me a big hug and said, ‘I want you to win this thing,’ " said Slater, who wiped away tears shortly after his win with the crowd chanting his name.

Slater won his first title in 1992 and claimed five others before taking a sabbatical in 1999. When he returned in 2001, he faced fierce competition from Irons, who claimed three back-to-back world titles starting in 2002.

A medical examiner said a ruling on the cause of Irons’ death could take several weeks, but said there were no signs of trauma or foul play. A police report stated prescription anti-anxiety and sleeping aid medications were found in Irons’ hotel room.

More than 100 surfers paddled out on Wednesday to honor Irons, including Slater. They clasped hands and formed a circle as tradition dictates to honor a surfer who dies.

Renato Hickel, a tour manager for the Association of Surfing Professionals, watched Slater develop consistency during his career.

"Kelly Slater is a combination of the perfect talent with the perfect competitor," Hickel said. "It’s hard to grasp how hard it is to win a world title. It’s extremely difficult."

Slater often beats young surfers who excel at aerials but lack his competitive edge, Hickel said.

"I feel relieved, honestly," he said. "It’s been the most stressful title I’ve ever had because it’s sort of an unknown place. You know, at my age, people say, ‘You shouldn’t be doing this.’ "