Lack of Waves Puts Triple Crown on Hold Till Thursday

By Carlos Rock

Parko Photo: ASP.

The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing is set to begin today with the Reef Hawaiian Pro of Surfing, however, the lack of swell forced organizers to call a lay day in favor of holding the contest in better and bigger surf.

Luckily there is a large northwest swell set to hit the islands Thursday (11/15) and Friday (11/16). This will ensure that the competitors will have very challenging surf conditions for the start of the Triple Crown.

Held at the beautiful Ali’i Beach Park in Haleiwa, HI, The Reef Hawaiian Pro poses its own set of obstacles that even the most experienced surfers have trouble overcoming.

The wave itself is a reef break like 90% of spots in Hawaii are, and a long right when the waves are 4-6 ft+ and sometimes offers a left with the right conditions.

The thing about Haleiwa is its world famous rip current. If they hold the contest this Friday with wave heights

Haleiwa can hold the big stuff. Friday could look very similar to this.Photo: ASP/ Getty Images.

predicted to reach 10-18 ft + faces, the post heat interviews with the surfers will reflect their dance with the treadmill-like current that is constantly trying to pull you out to sea, and out of position for catching the waves.

The wave itself has everything – an open face, barrel sections, and big end bowl section that closes out over a very shallow reef. Negotiating that section will be crucial in this contest.

There are many World Tour surfers entered into this contest, as well as many of the underground surfers from Hawaii who have refined their surfing at that very break.

Look for local rippers putting on a clinic in how to surf big Haleiwa.

Although this contest and the second one at Sunset Beach don’t offer any points toward a World Title, it does count towards your campaign in the Triple Crown.

Kelly Slater putting in the work. Photo: Steve Sherman.

And because these contests are held at the “gnarliest” spots on the already heavy North Shore of Oahu, doing well establishes your name in surfing history books, even if for just one contest.

Until then, spectators can expect a few more lay days as organizers wait for the new swell to fill in.

If you ever make a visit to the North Shore and have the guts to do it, paddle out at Haleiwa and experience firsthand one of the quintessential waves on the North Shore.

Maui and the rest of the islands will also get hit with the same swell adding to an already action packed winter season.

Ho’okipa has had waves for like a month straight. Thank You El Nino.