THE VANS TRIPLE CROWN OF SURFING

For the next 6-weeks, the world of surfing will be focused on the north shore of Oahu and hoping that the winter waves will cooperate and send those monster winter waves that have made Hawaii so famous.  Last year was a tough one in that regard, as the number of days with no waves far outnumbered the days that were surf-able.

Starting tomorrow, all eyes will be on Haleiwa, site of the first leg of the Triple Crown commences.  Over the following 11-days, surfers hope that they will encounter at least 4-days of decent sets that will allow them to score points.  You can get a sense for the fickleness of these winter waves by the very fact that they allow 11-days, hoping to get 4 with waves big enough to compete on.

After a break for Thanksgiving, the second leg is held at Sunset Beach.  Once again, surfers have 12-days to anticipate 4-days with waves large enough to qualify as surf-able.  After all, you can’t very well have a world class surfing competition on waves that only reach 3-5′ in height.

The third and final leg of the Triple Crown of Surfing is held from December 8th thru the 20th at the famous Banzai Pipeline.  Another 12-days of waiting out the best 3-days of surfing.  With a total cash payout of over $800,000, there is some serious money at stake.

If you happen to be fortunate enough to be on Oahu during this 6-week period, make it a point to catch some of this action, especially if you happen to be there when the surf’s up!  Even if you’re not a surfer, it will still put you in awe to see the world’s best surfers put on a show!

VENUE

Reef Hawaiian Pro

November 12-23 (on the 4 best days of surf in the period)
Haleiwa Ali’i Beach Park
$145,000 prize purse
Defending Champion: Joel Parkinson, Australia

Vans World Cup of Surfing

November 25-December 6 (on the 4 best days of surf in the period)
Sunset Beach
$250,000 prize purse
Defending Champion: Raoni Monteiro, Brazil

Billabong Pipe Masters

December 8-20 (on the 3 best days of surf in the period)
Banzai Pipeline
$425,000 prize purse + Nixon watch
Defending Champion: Jeremy Flores, France
Also decides Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Champion – $10,000 bonus

Van’s Triple Crown of Surfing Competition Mapped

I will add that this fall has seen a large number of days that the National Weather Service and NOAA have issued high surf warnings, so all-in-all, I anticipate a great 2011 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing competition!