For better or worse the 2011 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing is kicking off today with the Reef Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa. Currently, the waves are rolling in at two feet, but the surf is set to build through the day and deliver enough waves to finish the contest in three days. Overall, however, it’s looking like one of the worst years ever.
“In the 29-year history of running the Vans Triple Crown, we’ve never gone this far without running one competitive day,” says Randy Rarick, Executive Director of the Series. “But we knew it was possible, given it’s a La Nina year. We saw a similar pattern last year, but this year La Nina is more strengthened. This is precisely why we have a 12-day window. Without it, the event would not have been able to start.”
Click here to watch the event live, or follow the jump for the official word.Reef Hawaiian Pro Starts Monday Morning
HONOLULU (Nov. 20, 2011) — The Reef Hawaiian Pro – the first of the 3-event Vans Triple Crown of Surfing series presented by Rockstar Energy Drink – will commence tomorrow, Monday November 21, and run three consecutive days to crown a champion on Wednesday.
“In the 29-year history of running the Vans Triple Crown, we’ve never gone this far without running one competitive day,” says Randy Rarick, Executive Director of the Series. “But we knew it was possible, given it’s a La Nina year. We saw a similar pattern last year, but this year La Nina is more strengthened. This is precisely why we have a 12-day window. Without it, the event would not have been able to start.”
The period allocated to the Reef Hawaiian Pro started November 12 and runs through the 23rd.
“A new WNW swell will fill in tomorrow and hold through Wednesday to allow us to run the Reef Hawaiian Pro straight through the final three days of its holding period,” says Managing Director Marty Thomas.
“Heat times for the first three rounds have been adjusted to 20 minutes duration, potentially increasing to 25 or 30 minutes for the later rounds, but it just depends upon whether we get an 8am start or a midday start tomorrow.”
The new swell is forecast to be in the shoulder-high range with clean, offshore conditions, but may take the morning to fill in, hence the possible midday start.
Among those who will take to the waves on the opening day of competition are: Flynn Novak (HAW), Jamie O’Brien (Haw), Tim Reyes (CA), Jack Freestone (AUS), and Maui surfers Ian Gentil and Ian Walsh.
The Hawaiian Air Show, which offers 250,000 Hawaiian Miles to the best aerial performed throughout the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, will likely see a flurry of entries out of Haleiwa. Surfline.com, the official forecaster of the Vans Triple Crown, expects clean conditions, off-shore winds and fun surf in the shoulder-high range for the event.
Also coming up at Haleiwa is Reef’s Clash of the Legends, presented by Bud Light Lime, which this year features the Momentum Generation.
The MORNING SHOW will be broadcast live from the beach every morning at www.vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com, at 8am Hawaii time.
Download the new VANS LIVE 2.0 App, FREE, on iTunes for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. Coming soon for Android devices and where Android apps are available. Also check out the Vans Off The Wall TV app!
