By the time you read this, the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing will be entering its second of three events. The Triple Crown, also known as the Super Bowl of Surfing is the final contest of professional surfing’s 2008 World Champion Tour (WCT), which stops annually at Hale’iwa, Sunset Beach, and Pipeline on O’ahu’s North Shore. Each of the events has a two-week window, which allows contest directors to run the contest during the best days of waves. In its 26^th year, the Triple Crown of Surfing has provided the communities of O’ahu and surfing with a spectacular show of exceptional waves and intense competition between the world’s best surfers.

However fierce the competition may be, Kelly Slater has already clinched the world title for 2008, making this the ninth title throughout his illustrious career. Because the Triple Crown is held in Hawai’i, there is a massive amount of pride amongst the entering Hawaiian surfers to win.  Five Hawaiian surfers are competing in the Triple Crown this season: Andy Irons, Bruce Irons, Roy Powers, Pancho Sullivan, and Fred Patacchia. The world title for this year has been claimed, but a Hawaiian surfer still has a chance to claim the coveted “Crown.”

O’ahu’s Sunny Garcia with six titles, Kauai’s Andy Irons with three, and other numerous Hawaiian wins, show that Hawaiian surfers have consistently held the Triple Crown tightly within their grasp.

On November 20, 16 year-old Carissa Moore from O’ahu, won the first of three women’s division contest.  This one, the Reef Hawaiian Pro, was held in Hale’iwa.  Moore had a six-point lead as the heat drew close to an end. Layne Beachley, who had a chance to beat Moore’s score was dropped in on by Coco Ho in order to prevent Beachley from winning. In a press release, Moore said, “I was praying that Layne wouldn’t get that one. I was really thankful that Coco ended up getting that one. I’m definitely thankful that she is one of my friends.”

Tom Hamilton, father of Kauai’s Bethany Hamilton, was happy to be on O’ahu’s North Shore for the Triple Crown. Bethany Hamilton is the professional surfer who had her arm bitten off by a tiger shark, while surfing Kauai’s north shore in 2003. For Hamilton, “It’s great to relax, and film Bethany for the weekend. I’m only here for two days, but it’s like a vacation to me.”

Less than an hour drive from anywhere on O’ahu, the competition can be enjoyed any time during the day. Admission is free, but getting there earlier rather than later can be helpful because parking on the North Shore fills up quickly, especially around contest time. Another option is to ride the bus. The 52 and 55 run past Pipeline and Sunset, making for “curbside” service.

The Sunset Beach competition begins on Nov. 24 and runs until Dec. 6. Sunset Beach is located on Kamehameha Highway, across from Ted’s Bakery. The final showdown of the Vans Triple Crown is the Pipeline Masters. Arguably the most famous contest held at the most famous wave in the world, the Pipeline Masters is the final stop for the Triple Crown, which will be held Dec. 8 to Dec. 20. Pipeline is located in Ehukai Beach Park, across from Sunset Elementary School.

If you cannot get to the beach due to work or school, you can follow the events through a live stream at www.triplecrownofsurfing.com.

Bruce Irons prepares himself for the Triple Crown by pulling into a speedy Backdoor barrel.

What was once a little-known lighthouse on the rocky eastern coast of Oahu has now become one of the most well-trodden yet wonderfully rewarding hikes on the island.  Many visitors choose to hike from the the parking lot along the paved path to the lighthouse and back.  There are, however, two worthwhile detours, both of which take add an extra hour to the hike.  The first are to visit the pillboxes scattered on the hillside, which will give you a sense of the effects of Pearl Harbor and Hawaii’s current role as a Pacific port of call.  The second leads you down the steep, rocky path to several tide pools you can swim in and blow holes that make for entertaining flying objects by the water’s edge.  During the winter, from November through April, be on the lookout for whales, who find the Makapu’u Lighthouse an especially nice place to breech.

This hike takes two hours round trip, plus two hours for the additional detours.  Take the Kalanianaole Highway past Hanauma Bay and Sandy Beach.  Parking is available on the right hand side, just before the hairpin curve leading to Sea Life Park.

A great weekend day spent kayaking off of Kualoa Beach Park and out to Chinaman’s Hat. The tradewinds were down and the bay coast was calm.

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