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North Shore QTVR
by ALOHA DEAN
Before the arrival of Europeans, Hawaiian royalty surfed here on 150 pound olo board. Now, the giant winter waves attract surfers to Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach and Haleiwa where the Duke Kahanamoku International Classic and other meets are (sometime held) are sometimes held. One of the most challenging waves is the Banzai Pipeline. In the early 1900's Haleiwa was a fashionable seaside resort, now it offers art galleries, snack, shops, clothing boutique and a workshop for surfboarder maker. Haleiwa, Sunset Beach, Banzai Pipeline ( Ehukai Beach Park) and Waimea Bay are in winter the world's most exciting surfing area.
In the world of pro surfing, there are two titles to strive for: the ultimate is to be crowned world champion, and close behind is the title of Vans Triple Crown of Surfing champion. Every surfer knows that without having proven one's worth in Hawaii's giant winter waves, success is hollow.
It was an ingenious concept - bring together the world's best surfers in the world's best and biggest waves and find the surfer who performs the best over all three events. Versatility, strength, skill, and fearlessness would determine the surfer who could perform consistently well over all three events and he would be deemed the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing champion
