The world’s first $1,000,000 surf series, the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, gets underway on Oahu’s North Shore today with the battle for the record “Triple Threat” prize purse. Haleiwa plays host to the first jewel in the crown: the Reef Hawaiian Pro, an Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star PRIME event.

Competition will get underway at 8am in the three-to-five-foot (2 – 3 metre) surf and there will be no time for warming up with the action thick and heavy from the starting horn. Round 1 features Dane Gudauskas (CA), Mark Mathews (Aus), and four former Vans Triple Crown champions in Hawaii’s Sunny Garcia, Derek Ho, Myles Padaca and Kaipo Jaquias.

Find out the call for the day, each day, as soon as it’s made by Director Randy Rarick by signing up for mobile text alerts at www.triplecrownofsurfing.com

For the latest surf updates, stay tuned to Surfline.com, the official surf foreer of the Vans Triple Crown Triple Threat.

All the action will be broad live on the web at www.triplecrownofsurfing.com, as well as on Hawaii television on Oceanic channel 250.

read more at asp

The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing presented by Rockstar Energy Drink (an ASP Specialty Series) makes history today, announcing the TRIPLE CROWN – TRIPLE THREAT bonus purse that makes this prestigious Hawaiian series the first $1,000,000 stop on the Association of Surfing Professionals Dream Tour. More than 150 surfers from 17 nations have a crack at the loot as the series kicks off this Thursday, November 12, at Haleiwa on Oahu’s North Shore.

Vans is very proud to announce that the TRIPLE CROWN – TRIPLE THREAT will award $50,000 to the men’s Triple Crown series champion, an extra $50,000 for the Billabong Pipeline Masters winner, a $50,000 bonus to the ASP World Champion, and a $25,000 bonus to the women’s Triple Crown champion. The $175,000 Triple Threat is in addition to the existing $825,000 in event prize money, making for a $1 million total purse.

The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing will culminate with the final battle for the 2009 ASP World Title at the Billabong Pipeline Masters, December 8-20. Not since 2006 and the ASP World Title battle between Kelly Slater (Florida) and Andy Irons (Hawaii), has there been such a climax to the showdown. This year it will be between Australians Joel Parkinson and Mick Fanning, and on that final day, it is possible that one surfer could walk away with a record $230,000.

read more at asp

he Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 6-Star PRIME O’Neill Cold Water Classic California witnessed an action packed day of competition when Nathan Yeomans (San Clemente, CA), 28, claimed the event over Heath Joske (Coffs Harbour, AUS), 20, in pumping eight foot (2.5 meter) waves at Steamer Lane. Nat Young (Santa Cruz, CA), 19, won the Oakley Pro Junior ASP North America Championships and also claimed the ASP North America Pro Junior Series Title.

The O’Neill Cold Water Classic California’s ASP 6-Star PRIME status attracted some of the world’s top surfing prospects out to qualify for the 2010 ASP Dream Tour, who were all hungry to capitalize on the mass of points available at the premier event.

Yeomans wasted no time in the bombing surf at Steamer Lane, jumping on the scoreboard early and leading the heat throughout the entire bout against Joske. The San Clemente native capitalized on the surf at middle peak, ping a solid 15.33 heat total to earn the convincing win. Yeomans dominated on both his forehand and backhand to take the biggest victory of his career.

“I can’t believe it,” Yeomans said. “This is the biggest result of my career and I’m speechless. I’ve been winning 2-Stars for too long and it was time for a big 6-Star win. To have my name up there with all of the great surfers who have won this event over the years is amazing.”

read more at asp