Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Hawaiian Pro Called ON

The 2018 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing’s day 1 of the Hawaiian Pro opened Monday, Nov. 12 at Haleʻiwa Ali’i Beach Park on Oʻahu with overhead sets gracing the lineup.

The Hawaiian Pro is a World Surf League Men’s Qualifying Series 10,000 event and the penultimate competition of the 2018 QS circuit. It is also the first event of three within the VTCS and will see a winner emerge to take the lead on the prestigious VTCS Champion title.

The morning began with a traditional Hawaiian ceremony welcoming all international athletes, staff and visitors to the ʻāina. Local and kānaka maoli surfers, families, keiki, community members and political correspondents gathered at the event site to take part in the tradition and exchange lei and aloha.

Surfers gather for the pule or blessing during the opening ceremony of the Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, USA.

Ramzi Boukhiam of Morocco advances in second in round 1 heat two of the WSL Hawaiian Pro 2018 held at Haleʻiwa Aliʻi Beach Park. PC: World Surf League.

Benji Brand of Hawaiʻi advances to round two after placing second in round one heat 6 ​of the 2018 Hawaiian Pro at Haleʻiwa, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, USA. PC: World Surf League.

Skip McCullough of the USA advances in second from round 1 heat 12 of the WSL Hawaiian Pro held at Haleʻiwa Aliʻi Beach. PC: World Surf League.

The competition kicked off with Round 1 at 8 a.m. HST and all 16 heats were completed by 3:12 p.m.

“We’re stoked to have contestable surf on hand at Haleʻiwa for Day 1 of the Hawaiian Pro,” said WSL Hawaiʻi/Tahiti Nui Tour Manager, Marty Thomas. “The sun is out with light offshore winds and Round 1 will provide some exciting action to kick off the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.”

Each event of the 2018 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing will run on the four best days of surf within the event’s holding window.

Live streaming is available on WorldSurfLeague.com, VansTripleCrownOfSurfing.com, on Facebook, and the WSL and Facebook apps.

Viewers can also tune into Spectrum SURF Channel, which will televise the action live and in replay on digital channels 20 and 1020HD, across the state of Hawaiʻi.