The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing is broadcast live via the...

The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing is broadcast live via the Internet at http://www.vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com and on television across Hawaii on

Oceanic Time Warner Cable channels 250 and HD 1250

For daily competition status and surf report call Surf News Network, the official VTCS hotline, at (808) 596-7873 or visit them on the web at http://www.surfnewsnetwork.com

For on-site media communications contact:Jodi Wilmott, Ocean Promotion

Email: [email protected]: (808) 258-8533

Aloha!

THE VANS TRIPLE CROWN OF SURFING 2011 - MEDIA GUIDE PAGE 2

NORTH SHORE • O’AHU • HAWAII • NOVEMBER 12 - DECEMBER 20

Every winter, powerful swells cross thousands of miles of open ocean and descend upon the Hawaiian Islands, creating some of the biggest, most powerful and most challenging waves on the planet. With the world-class surf also comes the 29th annual Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink: a three-event series on the North Shore of Oahu, steeped in legacy and tradition.

Over the course of six weeks, more than 20,000 spectators will be witness to an international field of 240 professional surfers representing 16 counties who will tackle the legendary waves of Haleiwa, Sunset Beach - the most challenging wave on the planet, and Pipeline, famous for its perfect barrels. At the end of it all, the Vans Triple Crown series Champion will be crowned: the surfer who has performed best across all three challenging venues.

Careers, reputations, $830,000 in prize money and a Triple Crown champion’s $10,000 Nixon watch will be on the line. Surf fans from around the globe can experience the competitive drama in the water and the beauty of Hawaii’s beaches and tropical winter as it unfolds, either in-person, or via the live webcast at http://www.vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com.

As deep ocean winter swells reach the shallow reefs along the 7 Mile Miracle on Oahu’s famed North Shore, the waves they produce beckon surfers from around the globe, who come in search of big waves, big barrels and a big reputation. Every winter, powerful swells cross thousands of miles of open ocean and descend upon the Hawaiian Islands, creating some of the biggest, most powerful and most challenging waves on the planet. With the world-class surf also comes the 29th annual Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink: a three-event series on the North Shore of Oahu, steeped in legacy and tradition.



Haleiwa Ali’i Beach ParkNovember 12 – 23

Held on the best five days of surf during the waiting period ASP 6-Star

Event offering Prime points

Prize Purse:

$145,000Defending Champion:Joel Parkinson (AUS)

Sunset BeachNovember 24 – December 6

Held on the best five days of surf during the waiting period ASP Prime Event

Prize Purse:

$250,000Defending Champion:

Raoni Monteiro (BRA)

Banzai PipelineDecember 8 – 20

Held on the best three days of surf during the waiting period

ASP World Tour Event

Prize Purse:

$425,000Defending Champion:Jeremy Flores (FRA)

The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, was founded in 1983. It is set at three distinct breaks on the North Shore—Haleiwa, Sunset and Pipeline—and each wave requires power, commit-ment, style and a skill set to match its unique personality.

1. Kelly Slater (USA)2. Jordy Smith (ZAF)3. Owen Wright (AUS)4. Mick Fanning (AUS)5. Taj Burrow (AUS)6. Jeremy Flores (FRA)7. Joel Parkinson (AUS)8. Adrian Buchan (AUS)9. Bede Durbidge (AUS)10. Michel Bourez (PYF)11. Adriano de Souza (BRA)

12. Julian Wilson (AUS)13. Damien Hobgood (USA)14. Josh Kerr (AUS)15. Alejo Muniz (BRA)16. Gabriel Medina (BRA)17. Kieren Perrow (AUS)18. Raoni Monteiro (BRA)19. Matt Wilkinson (AUS)20. Jadson Andre (BRA)21. Heitor Alves (BRA)22. Chris Davidson (AUS)

23. Brett Simpson (USA)24. Dane Reynolds (USA)25. Patrick Gudauskas (USA)26. Daniel Ross (AUS)27. Yadin Nicol (AUS)28. Miguel Pupo (BRA)29. Dusty Payne (HAW)30. Kai Otton (AUS)31. Taylor Knox (USA)32. Tiago Pires (PRT)33. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW)

*surfer wildcard (injury)34. Travis Logie (ZAF) *surfer wildcard (next on ASP World rankings)

1st Alternate: John John Florence (HAW)2nd Alternate: Adam Melling (AUS)3rd Alternate: C.J. Hobgood (USA)



REEF HAWAIIAN PRO2010 - Joel Parkinson, Australia2009 - Joel Centeio, Hawaii2008 - Michel Bourez, Tahiti2007 - Roy Powers, Hawaii 2006 - Andy Irons, Hawaii 2005 - Pancho Sullivan, Hawaii2004 - Sunny Garcia, Hawaii 2003 - Troy Brooks, Australia 2002 - Sunny Garcia, Hawaii2001 - Andy Irons, Hawaii 2000 - Sunny Garcia, Hawaii 1999 - Conan Hayes, Hawaii1998 - Kaipo Jaquias, Hawaii 1997 - Tony Ray, Australia 1996 - Kaipo Jaquias, Hawaii1995 - Richard Lovett, Australia1994 - Chris Brown, USA1993 - Sunny Garcia, Hawaii 1992 - Sunny Garcia, Hawaii1991 - Tom Curren, USA 1990 - Nicky Wood, Australia 1989 - Cheyne Horan, Australia 1988 - Barton Lynch, Australia1987 - Gary Elkerton, Australia1986 - Mark Richards, Australia1985 - Mark Richards, Australia

VANS WORLD CUP OF SURFING2010 - Raoni Monteiro, Brazil2009 - Joel Parkinson, Australia2008 - C.J. Hobgood, USA 2007 - Makuakai Rothman, Hawaii2006 - Joel Parkinson, Australia2005 - Jake Patterson, Australia2004 - Andy Irons, Hawaii2003 - Jake Patterson, Australia2002 - Joel Parkinson, Australia 2001 - Myles Padaca, Hawaii2000 - Sunny Garcia, Hawaii 1999 - Zane Harrison, Australia 1998 - Shane Dorian, Hawaii1997 - Michael Rommelse, Australia

1996 - Paul Patterson, Australia1995 - Shane Powell, Australia 1994 - Sunny Garcia, Hawaii 1993 - John Gomes, Hawaii 1992 - Martin Potter, United Kingdom 1991 - Fabio Gouveia, Brazil1990 - Derek Ho, Hawaii1989 - Hans Hedemann, Hawaii 1988 - Tom Carroll, Australia 1987 - Gary Elkerton, Australia 1986 - Hans Hedemann, Hawaii1985 - Michael Ho, Hawaii 1984 - Michael Ho, Hawaii1983 - Michael Ho, Hawaii1982 - Tom Carroll, Australia 1981 - Dane Kealoha, Hawaii1980 - Ian Cairns, Australia1979 - Mark Richards, Australia 1978 - Buzzy Kerbox, Hawaii1977 - Shaun Tomson, South Africa1976 - Ian Cairns, Australia1975 - Mark Richards, Australia

BILLABONG PIPE MASTERS2010 - Jeremy Flores, France2009 -Taj Burrow, Australia2008 - Kelly Slater, USA2007 - Bede Durbidge, Australia2006 - 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, USA1998 - Jake Paterson, Australia 1997 - John Gomes, Hawaii1996 - Kelly Slater, USA 1995 - Kelly Slater, USA1994 - Kelly Slater, USA 1993 - Derek Ho, Hawaii 1992 - Kelly Slater, USA1991 - Tom Carroll, Australia 1990 - Tom Carroll, Australia 1989 - Gary Elkerton, Australia1988 - Rob Page, Australia 1987 - Tom Carroll, Australia

1986 - Derek Ho, Hawaii1985 - Mark Occhilupo, Australia1984 - Joey Buran, USA1983 - 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, Hawaii1976 - Rory Russell, Hawaii 1975 - Shaun Tomson, South Africa1974 - Jeff Crawford, USA 1973 - Gerry Lopez, Hawaii1972 - Gerry Lopez, Hawaii 1971 - Jeff Hakman, Hawaii

VANS TRIPLE CROWN ANNUAL CHAMPIONS2010 - Joel Parkinson, Australia 2009 - Joel Parkinson, Australia 2008 - Joel Parkinson, Australia 2007 - Bede Durbidge, Australia 2006 - Andy Irons, Hawaii2005 - 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, USA1994 - 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, Hawaii1987 - Gary Elkerton, Australia 1986 - Derek Ho, Hawaii 1985 - Michael Ho, Hawaii 1984 - Derek Ho, Hawaii1983 - Michael Ho, Hawaii



REEF HAWAIIAN PRO

The Venue: Haleiwa is the perfect competitive venue for raising the bar of high-perfor-mance surfing on the North Shore. The tem-peramental right has many moods, breaking best on a west swell. From two to eight feet, the racing, steep rights afford the world’s best surfers long walls to crank out power turns, boost airs and even find a quick barrel or two. But once the surf is double overhead, Haleiwa turns into a powerful monster and the heavy rights closeout out over an extremely shallow and dangerous slab of reef on the inside known as the “Toilet Bowl.” At Haleiwa, a steady rip pulls surfers toward the deep water Haleiwa harbor entrance and keeps them paddling to stay in position.

The Legacy: Many local North Shore surfers owe their surfing roots to Haleiwa. It’s the place where they caught their first wave and surfed their first heat in the famous North Shore ‘Menehune’ Contest that has been running for 31 years. Support for local competitors runs deep at the Reef Hawaiian Pro and Ali’i Beach Park takes on a family atmosphere as the community comes down to support their local heroes. Haleiwa’s quaint, yet bustling town and its distinction as the gateway to the North Shore adds a festive allure to the event.

The Competitors: Most often, the winner at Haleiwa is the surfer who can handle himself in a variety of conditions and have the stamina to continually fight the rip, heat after heat. A good result at Haleiwa is also critical for contention in the race for the Triple Crown title. The contest is also a battle ground for hungry professional surf-ers looking for a good result to boost their standing on the ASP World Rankings, in hopes of qualifying for the World Tour. Similarly, it provides a chance for a World Tour surfer who has fallen down the ranks to earn criti-cal points to keep their seed on the coveted World Tour. As one of the highest ASP star-rated events, it offers more bang for the buck, in points that is.

VANS WORLD CUP OF SURFING

The Venue: Sunset Beach can be a surfer’s best friend or their worst nightmare. The sectioning wave can open up huge barrels, as wide as they are tall, but they can also close out with board snapping fury. Sunset Beach is a huge playing field, a long stretch of reef without a well-defined take-off zone. Competitors must constantly be on the hunt for the peak, sitting as deep as possible, in constant danger of getting caught inside by the next set wave. If the swell has a north-erly component, the competitors will be tak-ing off way outside. If there’s any west swell in the water, the West Bowl, almost directly in front of the contest scaffolding, is the section where surfers will be looking to pull into heavy, powerful tubes.

The Legacy: 1977 World Champion and icon Shaun Tomson gave a very accurate descrip-tion of Sunset, “It’s the most challenging wave in the world.” Ask any international or local standout surfer and they’ll agree with the sentiment. Even 10-times World Champion Kelly Slater has yet to nab an event win at Sunset Beach. There are so many elements to contend with at Sunset that surfers must be mentally as well as physically prepared when they enter the lineup. With the surf zone so vast and intimidating, it takes years of water time to master the break. Sunset is famous for its violent thrashings in the whitewater and long hold-downs. The persistent side-offshore trade winds make it hard to drop in and the sheer volume of water moving across the reef makes it extremely hard to judge po-sition in the lineup. Sunset Beach has a cadre of dedicated international surfers that have defined power surfing over the decades and who continue to push the limits of surfing at this raw and untamable wave.

The Competitors: It takes dedication, years of water time and an edgy, adventurous and ag-gressive mindset to dominate at Sunset. More often than not, the biggest waves ridden during the Triple Crown go down at Sunset, so a true Sunset champion must have big-wave riding skills, the courage to attempt huge, aggressive turns in the most critical part of the wave and the style to make it look easy. As if just surfing the wave isn’t enough, The Vans World Cup of Surfing is the final event for qualifying points in the ASP World Rank-ings, and some competitors will be surfing for much needed points to attain a position on the World Tour, or merely to keep their professional career alive.

BILLABONG PIPELINE MASTERS

The Venue: The more west in the swell direc-tion, the better the Banzai Pipeline gets. The infamous left is said to be the best barrel in the world. The heaving, cavernous tubes detonate over a very shallow reef right off the beach. So not only is it a perfect barrel and a wave of power and consequence, but it’s the perfect venue for spectators.

The Legacy: The climax of the Triple Crown, the Pipe Masters has a long and colorful history in the sport of surfing. As surfboards evolved into more performance-oriented crafts in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, tube-riding at Pipe also evolved. Breaking on a shallow reef very close to shore, Pipeline combines danger, the pinnacle of what a perfect wave is and a virtual experience for the spectator, who can hear the power of the wave and feel it in the sand as it deto-nates across the reef. Pipeline is a visceral experience for the surfer and the spectator, whether on the beach or in the water, and unmatched anywhere in the world. And being crowned the Pipe Master is one of the most coveted distinctions in surfing.

The Competitors: The Billabong Pipe Masters is the final stop on the ASP World Tour, fea-turing the top 34 surfers of the ASP World Rankings. The outcome of the event will also determine the ASP World Champion, cur-rently held by 10-time World Champion Kelly Slater. Being the final event of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, the top contender for the Triple Crown title who is not ranked among the Top 34 also receives a berth in the Pipe Masters event.



With the sport of surfing tracing its origins back to pre-contact Hawaii, it’s fitting that the North Shore of Oahu remains the Mecca of professional surfing to date.

The first international surfing contest in Hawaii, the Makaha International Surfing Championship, was held in 1954 at Makaha, on the west side of Oahu. At the time, Makaha and Waikiki were the main surfing hubs on Oahu. The event ran annually in No-vember or December through 1971 and was dubbed the unofficial world championships.

While Makaha introduced competitive surfing to the world with its Primetime coverage of the event in the early 1960s on ABC’s Wide World of Sports, the shortboard revolution was just begin-ning to take hold and surfers began looking toward the faster, hollower waves on Oahu’s North Shore. By 1970, tube riding became the new benchmark of high-performance surfing.

In 1971, with a card table, ten folding chairs, six surfers and $1,000 in prize money, former world champion surfer Fred Hemmings staged the first Pipe Masters event (originally called the Hawaiian Masters). From this humble beginning, Hemmings saw the potential that the North Shore had to offer the sport of professional surfing and decided to create a series that would test surfers’ abilities at Pipeline and two other challenging, world-class waves. In 1983, he organized the first Triple Crown of Surfing and created a separate professional surfing title in Hawaii to set apart the three Hawaii events—the Pipe Masters, the World Cup of Surfing and the Hawaiian Pro—to honor the best surfer male surfer in Hawaii’s big and powerful surf.

In its 29th year, the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing continues a rich surfing heritage of progression, high-performance and power surfing. It is a series where careers are made, reputations are forged and mistakes can have dire consequences. The prestigious Vans Triple Crown of Surfing title is a professional surfing mile-stone, one that rivals that of ASP World Champion.

The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing is broadcast live via the...

Documents

Transcript of The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing is broadcast live via the...