From the technical waves at Haleiwa, to the powerful walls at Sunset Beach, and the infamous barrels at the Banzai Pipeline, the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Champion is the surfer who has the diversity, ability, and stamina to excel in the uniquely demanding surf conditions at all three spots. Each event will have individual winners and after the three events the surfer who scores the most points overall is crowned the Triple Crown Champion, the most prestigious title-within-a-title that surfing has to offer.
In addition to having the final stop of the Men’s Tour, VTCS is a significant event for the World Tour because the Reef Hawaiian Pro and the Van’s World Cup are the last ASP Prime events and point qualifiers for the following year’s World Tour. Furthermore, the Pipeline Masters is the last event of Triple Crown and also the final event of the ASP Men’s World Tour.
Hawaii is the mecca of professional surfing to date. The first international surfing contest was held in Hawaii, the Makaha International Surfing Championship in 1954 at Makaha, the birth place of big wave surfing located on the west side of Oahu. While Makaha introduced the competitive surfing world to Hawaii, the major recognition of Oahu’s potential came when events began on the North Shore.
In 1971, the first Pipe Masters event was staged by former world champion surfer and eventual founder of the Triple Crown of Surfing Series Fred Hemmings. This year, the Billabong Pipe Masters celebrates its 40th year. In 1983, Hemmings decided to create a title that would better showcase the three existing Hawaiian events – the Pipe Masters, World Cup of Surfing, and the Hawaiian Pro. With their world recognition already secure he linked the three contests into a series collectively known as ‘The Triple Crown of Surfing.’
Randy Rarick, born and raised in Hawaii, was the Contest Director since he and Fred Hemmings saw a need to consolidate random surfing competitions around the world and standardize the judging criteria in 1972. They took the lead to create the ISP, International Surfing Professionals, to create cohesiveness between individual contests. And there began a journey of three decades that started with Randy dreamily saying, “Wouldn’t it be cool to get paid to surf professionally?” Fred was the major promoter until he stepped into politics and turned everything over to Randy. For the first two years of the Triple Crown, Randy ran the event AND surfed in the contest . Realizing that it was either competitor or administrator, he chose the latter. After decades of success with Triple Crown, Randy has since retired and passed on the ropes to the next generation.
Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Past Champions / Winners
2016 – John John Florence, Hawaii
2015 – Gabriel Medina, Brazil
2014 – Julian Wilson, Australia
2013 – John John Florence, Hawaii
2012 – Sebastian Zietz, Hawaii
2011 – John John Florence, Hawaii
2010 – Joel Parkinson, Australia
2009 – Joel Parkinson, Australia
2008 – Joel Parkinson, Australia
2007 – Bede Durbidge, Australia
2006 – Andy Irons, Hawaii
2005 – Andy Irons, Hawaii
2004 – Sunny Garcia, Hawaii
2003 – Andy Irons, Hawaii
2002 – Andy Irons, Hawaii
2001 – Myles Padaca, Hawaii
2000 – Sunny Garcia, Hawaii
1999 – Sunny Garcia, Hawaii
1998 – Kelly Slater, USA
1997 – Mike Rommelse, Australia
1996 – Kaipo Jaquias, Hawaii
1995 – Kelly Slater, USA
1994 – Sunny Garcia, Hawaii
1993 – Sunny Garcia, Hawaii
1992 – Sunny Garcia, Hawaii
1991 – Tom Carroll, Australia
1990 – Derek Ho, Hawaii
1989 – Gary Elkerton, Australia
1988 – Derek Ho, Hawaii
1987 – Gary Elkerton, Australia
1986 – Derek Ho, Hawaii
1985 – Michael Ho, Hawaii
1984 – Derek Ho, Hawaii
1983 – Michael Ho, Hawaii
Stop 1: Reef Hawaiian Pro
Location: Haleiwa Ali’i Beach
Holding Period: November 12 – 24
Prize Purse: $145,000 Men’s Prime Event
Haleiwa (Ali’i Beach Park) Best known as the gateway to the Seven-Mile Miracle. Located in Haleiwa town Ali’i Beach Park hosts the first stop of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, the Reef Hawaiian Pro. The event runs on the west side of the Haleiwa Boat Harbor, where Haleiwa’s tricky reef is capable of delivering hollow rights, rippable sections and powerful closeouts.
History of Reef Hawaiian Pro Past Champions / Winners:
2016 – John John Florence, Hawaii
2015 – Wade Carmichael, Australia
2014 – Dusty Payne, Hawaii
2013 – Michel Bourez, Tahiti
2012 – Sebastian Zietz, Hawaii
2011 – Taj Burrow, Australia
2010 – Joel Parkinson, Australia
2009 – Joel Centeio, Hawaii
2008 – Michel Bourez, Tahiti
2007 – Roy Powers, Hawaii
2006 – Andy Irons, Hawaii
2005 – Pancho Sullivan, Hawaii
2004 – Sunny Garcia, Hawaii
2003 – Troy Brooks, Australia
2002 – Sunny Garcia, Hawaii
2001 – Andy Irons, Hawaii
2000 – Sunny Garcia, Hawaii
1999 – Conan Hayes, Hawaii
1998 – Kaipo Jaquias, Hawaii
1997 – Tony Ray, Australia
1996 – Kaipo Jaquias, Hawaii
1995 – Richard Lovett, Australia
1994 – Chris Brown, USA
1993 – Sunny Garcia, Hawaii
1992 – Sunny Garcia, Hawaii
1991 – Tom Curren, USA
1990 – Nicky Wood, Australia
1989 – Cheyne Horan, Australia
1988 – Barton Lynch, Australia
1987 – Gary Elkerton, Australia
1986 – Mark Richards, Australia
1985 – Mark Richards, Australia
Stop 2: Vans World Cup of Surfing
Location: Sunset Beach
Holding Period: November 25 – December 6
Prize Purse: $250,000 Men’s Prime Event
The World Cup of Surfing is the second jewel of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Held at Sunset Beach, the big wave event is steeped in tradition, as the infamously long and shifty wave is held in the highest esteem by big wave surfers around the world. A true test for any waterman, the waves at Sunset are spread across a huge playing field, which challenges the fitness of the surfers to get in the right spot to catch the best and biggest waves. Notorious for being unruly and complex, only a few dedicated surfers have mastered the lineup and the powerful waves that pour down the point.
History of Vans World Cup Past Champions / Winners:
2016 – Jordy Smith, South Africa
2015 – Mick Fanning, Australia
2014 – Michel Bourez, Tahiti
2013 – Ezekiel Lau, Hawaii
2012 – Adam Melling, Australia
2011 – John John Florence, Hawaii
2010 – Raoni Monteiro, Brazil
2009 – Joel Parkinson, Australia
2008 – C.J. Hobgood, USA
2007 – Makuakai Rothman, Hawaii
2006 – Joel Parkinson, Australia
2005 – Jake Patterson, Australia
2004 – Andy Irons, Hawaii
2003 – Jake Patterson, Australia
2002 – Joel Parkinson, Australia
2001 – Myles Padaca, Hawaii
2000 – Sunny Garcia, Hawaii
1999 – Zane Harrison, Australia
1998 – Shane Dorian, Hawaii
1997 – Michael Rommelse, Australia
1996 – Paul Patterson, Australia
1995 – Shane Powell, Australia
1994 – Sunny Garcia, Hawaii
1993 – John Gomes, Hawaii
1992 – Martin Potter, United Kingdom
1991 – Fabio Gouveia, Brazil
1990 – Derek Ho, Hawaii
1989 – Hans Hedemann, Hawaii
1988 – Tom Carroll, Australia
1987 – Gary Elkerton, Australia
1986 – Hans Hedemann, Hawaii
1985 – Michael Ho, Hawaii
1984 – Michael Ho, Hawaii
1983 – Michael Ho, Hawaii
1982 – Tom Carroll, Australia
1981 – Dane Kealoha, Hawaii
1980 – Ian Cairns, Australia
1979 – Mark Richards, Australia
1978 – Buzzy Kerbox, Hawaii
1977 – Shaun Tomson, South Africa
1976 – Ian Cairns, Australia
Stop 3: Billabong Pipe Masters In Memory of Andy Irons
Location: Banzai Pipeline
Holding Period: December 8-20
Prize Purse: $425,000 Men’s World Tour Event
The Billabong Pipe Masters, the final stop of the Vans Triple Crown and the final event of the World Surf League Men’s World Tour, is the perfect venue for the culmination of both series. An iconic and historic wave, the Banzai Pipeline is often referred to as the best wave on the planet. Known for its perfect, heaving top-to-bottom barrels and its close proximity to shore, not only is it the perfect wave for those willing to charge, but also for the spectators on the beach.
History of Billabong Pipe Masters Past Champions / Winners:
2016 – Michel Bourez, Tahiti
2015 – Adriano De Souza, Brazil
2014 – Julian Wilson, Australia
2013 – Kelly Slater, USA
2012 – Joel Parkinson, Australia
2011 – Kieren Perrow, Australia
2010 – Jeremy Flores, France
2009 – Taj Burrow, Australia
2008 – Kelly Slater, USA
2007 – Bede Durbidge, Australia
2006 – Andy Irons, Hawaii
2005 – Andy Irons, Hawaii
2004 – Jamie O’Brien, Hawaii
2003 – Andy Irons, Hawaii
2002 – Andy Irons, Hawaii
2001 – Bruce Irons, Hawaii
2000 – Rob Machado, USA
1999 – Kelly Slater, USA
1998 – Jake Patterson, Australia
1997 – John Gomes, Hawaii
1996 – Kelly Slater, USA
1995 – Kelly Slater, USA
1994 – Kelly Slater, USA
1993 – Derek Ho, Hawaii
1992 – Kelly Slater, USA
1991 – Tom Carroll, Australia
1990 – Tom Carroll, Australia
1989 – Gary Elkerton, Australia
1988 – Rob Page, Australia
1987 – Tom Carroll, Australia
1986 – Derek Ho, Hawaii
1985 – Mark Occhilupo, Australia
1984 – Joey Buran, USA
1983 – Dane Kealoha, Hawaii
1982 – Michael Ho, Hawaii
1981 – Simon Anderson, Australia
1980 – Mark Richards, Australia
1979 – Larry Blair, Australia
1978 – Larry Blair, Australia
1977 – Rory Russell, Hawaii
1976 – Rory Russell, Hawaii
What is the holding period?
The World Surf League uses a holding period when scheduling the events. The holding period allows the contest directors to run the heats when surf conditions are at their absolute best. Sometimes conditions are solid at the beginning of the holding period and the contest will run then. Other times the conditions might not be so good at the beginning of the holding period and contest directors will wait it out, hoping for better conditions. The call is usually made by 8 am each day but sometimes they will delay the call until lunchtime to allow conditions to improve. To check surf conditions for all shores, go to www.SurfNewsNetwork.com. For event status, updates and conditions, call 808-596-SURF.
The World Surf League Judging Criteria is based on a 0-10 point system. Each competitor’s final score is based on the total of their two highest-scored waves.
0.0-1.9: Poor, 2.0-3.9: Fair, 4.0-5.9: Average, 6.0-7.9: Good, 8.0-10.0 Excellent
Judges analyze the following major elements when scoring waves for the short board circuit for the World Tour, Women’s World Tour, Star and Prime events and the Pro Junior Series:
- Commitment and Degree of Difficulty
- Innovative and Progressive Manoeuvres
- Combination of Major Manoeuvres
- Variety of Manoeuvres
- Speed, Power and Flow
History of World Surf League World Tour Past Champions / Winners – Men
2016 – John John Florence, Hawaii
2015 – Adriano De Souza, Brazil
2014 – Garbriel Medina, Brazil
2013 – Mick Fanning, Australia
2012 – Joel Parkinson, Australia
2011 – Kelly Slater, USA
2010 – Kelly Slater, USA
2009 – Mick Fanning, Australia
2008 – Kelly Slater, USA
2007 – Mick Fanning, Australia
2006 – Kelly Slater, USA
2005 – Kelly Slater, USA
2004 – Andy Irons, Hawaii
2003 – Andy Irons, Hawaii
2002 – Andy Irons, Hawaii
2001 – CJ Hobgood, USA
2000 – Sunny Garcia, Hawaii
1999 – Mark Occhilupo, Australia
1998 – Kelly Slater, USA
1997 – Kelly Slater, USA
1996 – Kelly Slater, USA
1995 – Kelly Slater, USA
1994 – Kelly Slater, USA
1993 – Derek Ho, Hawaii
1992 – Kelly Slater, USA
1991 – Damien Hardman, Australia
1990 – Tom Curren, USA
1989 – Martin Potter, GB
1988 – Barton Lynch, Australia
1987 – Damien Hardman, Australia
1986 – Tom Curren, USA
1985 – Tom Curren, USA
1984 – Tom Carroll, Australia
1983 – Tom Carroll, Australia
1982 – Mark Richards, Australia
1981 – Mark Richards, Australia
1980 – Mark Richards, Australia
1979 – Mark Richards, Australia
1978 – Wayne Bartholomew, Australia
1977 – Shaun Thompson, South Africa
1976 – Peter Townend, Australia
History of World Surf League World Tour Past Champions – Women
2016 – Tyler Wright, Australia
2015 – Carissa Moore, Hawaii
2014 – Stephanie Gilmore, Australia
2013 – Carissa Moore, Hawaii
2012 – Stephanie Gilmore, Australia
2012 – Stephanie Gilmore, Australia
2011 – Carissa Moore, Hawaii
2010 – Stephanie Gilmore, Australia
2009 – Stephanie Gilmore, Australia
2008 – Stephanie Gilmore, Australia
2007 – Stephanie Gilmore, Australia
2006 – Layne Beachley, Australia
2005 – Chelsea Georgeson, Australia
2004 – Sofia Mulanovich, Peru
2003 – Layne Beachley, Australia
2002 – Layne Beachley, Australia
2001 – Layne Beachley, Australia
2000 – Layne Beachley, Australia
1999 – Layne Beachley, Australia
1998 – Layne Beachley, Australia
1997 – Lisa Anderson, USA
1996 – Lisa Anderson, USA
1995 – Lisa Anderson, USA
1994 – Lisa Anderson, USA
1993 – Paula Menczer, Australia
1992 – Wendy Botha, Australia
1991 – Wendy Botha, Australia
1990 – Pam Burridge, Australia
1989 – Wendy Botha, Australia
1988 – Freida Zamba, USA
1987 – Wendy Botha, Australia
1986 – Freida Zamba, USA
1985 – Freida Zamba, USA
1984 – Freida Zamba, USA
1983 – Kim Mearig, USA
1982 – Debbie Beacham, USA
1981 – Margo Oberg, Hawaii
1980 – Margo Oberg, Hawaii
1979 – Lynne Boyer, Hawaii
1978 – Lynne Boyer, Hawaii
1977 – Margo Oberg, Hawaii
1976 – n/a
Van’s Spectator Tips While You are at the Beach
Dos
-Bring food and beverages to the beach. There are no snack or drink stores at any of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing venues. A cooler also makes a good backrest or seat.
-Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and extra sun protection for young children. It’s always possible to get sunburned without adequate protection, especially on the overcast days because the ultraviolet rays are stronger then.
-Bring binoculars. They add to the experience.
-Bring your camera.
-Bring a beach chair, towel or mat to sit own. A sandy bottom gets old real quick.
-Bring a rain jacket, slicker or hooded sweatshirt. After all it’s winter and there may be a brief drizzle lurking about.
-Pay attention to road signs, warnings and driveways to avoid tickets and towing.
-Get to the beach early to score a good parking spot and avoid traffic.
-Pick up your own (and any other) trash on the beach. Malama ka ‘aina (take care of the land).
-Be polite and courteous to the local residents. They have to live with events and crowds in their driveways and backyards.
-Heed all lifeguards’ warnings. During the winter months, waves can double in size within an hour.
Don’ts
-Stub out your cigarettes in the sand and leave them there. Better yet, enjoy the fresh Pacific air and respect the rights of athletes and other visitors to clean air. If you must smoke, bring along a butt container and smoke in the middle of the road.
-Bring an umbrella to the beach. Umbrellas prevent other spectators from enjoying the action and become dangerous projectiles when windy.
-Bring your pets to the beach. No one likes stepping in doggy-doo and there are usually a lot of little children around the beach.
-Let little ones play at the shoreline. A big wave can easily take your kids out to sea, especially at Pipeline or Sunset.
-Park on Kamehameha Highway when watching the Billabong Pipe Masters. You will be towed, fined or both.
-Tempt thieves by leaving valuables in your car.
-Harass competitors for autographs while they’re in the contestant’s area. They’re technically at work at the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Wait till after their heat for autograph opportunities.
-Bring bullhorns, air horns or other noise making devices. Contest officials use these tools to alert competitors and you’re personal noisemaker may interfere with valuable contest information.
-Be rude. This is paradise. Let’s enjoy it together.
For more information, please visit:
www.worldsurfleague.com
www.vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com
