On the Hawaiian Island of Oahu lies
the most notorious 7-mile stretch of surf on earth: the world famous North Shore. It is in this
mythological place, surfing the biggest waves in the world, that legends are made and lives are
put on the line. Once a year for nearly two months, it becomes a surfer's Mecca. From mid November
to late December, the world's top men and women surfers chase professional world titles, more
than $600,000 in prize money, and the glory of the greatest achievement in surfing: The Vans Triple
Crown of Surfing title.
The Vans Triple Crown consists of three world-class men's events, and two elite level women's
events. Each event is staged at a different location and requires different equipment, unique
strategy and incredible mental toughness. Virtually everything that matters in the sport culminates
at Pipeline - the Vans Triple Crown Series and the World championships.
Men's Events:
- The Op Pro Hawaii: The first event in
the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing and a 6-star World Qualifying Series (WQS) competition. Held
at Haleiwa's Alii Beach Park - a break that features a fast ride and peels off over coral
reef, allowing a full spectrum of maneuvers.
- The O'Neill World Cup of Surfing: The
second event in the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing and the penultimate event on the WQS calendar
determining which surfers advance to the World Championship Tour for a shot at the world title
the following year. Held at Sunset beach - in contrast to Haleiwa, the break at Sunset Beach
is almost a half-mile out to sea and in very deep waters. Subsequently, the waves can be up
to 20 feet thick and up to four stories high.
- The Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters:
The final event in the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing and the final event of the annual World
Championship Tour - the sport's two most coveted titles. Held at Pipeline (Ehukai Beach Park),
this is the world's most spectacular and spectator-friendly pro surfing event, taking place
a stone's throw from shore. The Pipeline rears up 50 feet from shore and showcases waves of
up to five stories high that march shoreward before exploding upon a barely submerged coral
reef. Due to the extreme shallow reef formation of this break, swells stand abruptly on the
reef before pitching over into a huge, hollow, wave that has made the name "Banzai Pipeline"
famous around the world. To the surfing world, a Pipeline Masters title is the pinnacle of
the sport.
Women's Events:
- The Roxy Pro: The penultimate event on
the World Championship Tour determining which surfers advance to the World Championship Tour
for a shot at the world title the following year. Last year the new world champion was crowned
at this event, having secured enough points to claim it early. Held at Haleiwa's Alii Beach
Park.
- The Billabong Pro: The final World Championship
event for the current year, held at Honolua Bay on the North Shore of Maui. The Billabong
Pro is the only event that takes place outside of the North Shore of Oahu. Collectively, the
Roxy Pro and the Billabong Pro determine the women's Association of Surfing Professionals
World Champion and the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing champion. The women's world champion is
officially crowned at the conclusion of this event.
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