Vans Triple Crown of Surfing: 30 Years of Posters and Winners

The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing is referred to as "surfing's crown jewel." Just as horseracing's Triple Crown is comprised of three main events, so is surfing's Triple Crown. Behind winning a World Title, professional surfers say winning a Triple Crown is almost as desired. 

The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing is made up of three ASP sanctioned surf contests on the North Shore of Oahu: the Reef Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa, the Vans World Cup of Surfing at Sunset Beach, and the Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons at Pipeline. 

Last year, North Shore Oahu local John John Florence finally won his first Triple Crown at the ripe age of 19. Already firmly entrenched as one of the greatest surfers at Pipeline, John John will look to continue his domination on his home turf this winter. And of course, the ASP World Title will be decided at the final event, the Billabong Pipe Masters. So there will be plenty of action at this year's Triple Crown. 

The holding period for the Reef Hawaiian Pro began yesterday, starting off with a lay day. This being it's 30th year, we'll take a look back at all the iconic Vans Triple Crown of Surfing posters throughout the ages as well as that year's winner. 

So here's to the 30th year of one of surfing's most cherished string of events.

2012 Triple Crown Winner: TBD

2011 Triple Crown Winner: John John Florence

Born and raised on the North Shore of Oahu, John John Florence became the youngest Triple Crown Winner ever. 

2010 Triple Crown Winner: Joel Parkinson

Australian Joel Parkinson seems to always perform well in Hawaii. He capped a three year run of Triple Crowns from 2008-2010. 

2009 Triple Crown Winner: Joel Parkinson

Australian Joel Parkinson seems to always perform well in Hawaii. He capped a three year run of Triple Crowns from 2008-2010. 

2008 Triple Crown Winner: Joel Parkinson

Australian Joel Parkinson seems to always perform well in Hawaii. He capped a three year run of Triple Crowns from 2008-2010. 

2007 Triple Crown Winner: Bede Durbidge

Bede Durbidge came out of the woodwork of Australia to finish runner-up at the Reef Hawaiian Pro then took a Billabong Pipe Masters victory, catapulting himself into contender status overnight. 

2006 Triple Crown Winner: Andy Irons

Andy Irons was the guy who was born to dominate the Triple Crown of Surfing. He has won every single event of the Triple Crown (the only other surfer to do so being Derek Ho). His four Triple Crowns created epic battles at Pipeline between him and Kelly Slater that are forever some of the best competitions to ever happen in surfing. 

2005 Triple Crown Winner: Andy Irons

Andy Irons was the guy who was born to dominate the Triple Crown of Surfing. He has won every single event of the Triple Crown (the only other surfer to do so being Derek Ho). His four Triple Crowns created epic battles at Pipeline between him and Kelly Slater that are forever some of the best competitions to ever happen in surfing. 

2004 Triple Crown Winner: Sunny Garcia

Sunny Garcia has won the most Triple Crown titles of any surfer with six titles. The only thing Sunny Garcia has yet to do is win a Billabong Pipe Masters. He remains the King of The Triple Crown. 

2003 Triple Crown Winner: Andy Irons

Andy Irons was the guy who was born to dominate the Triple Crown of Surfing. He has won every single event of the Triple Crown (the only other surfer to do so being Derek Ho). His four Triple Crowns created epic battles at Pipeline between him and Kelly Slater that are forever some of the best competitions to ever happen in surfing. 

2002 Triple Crown Winner: Andy Irons

Andy Irons was the guy who was born to dominate the Triple Crown of Surfing. He has won every single event of the Triple Crown (the only other surfer to do so being Derek Ho). His four Triple Crowns created epic battles at Pipeline between him and Kelly Slater that are forever some of the best competitions to ever happen in surfing. 

2001 Triple Crown Winner: Myles Padaca 

With a finals appearance at Haleiwa and a victory at Sunset Beach, Hawaiian Myles Padaca was awarded the Triple Crown before the Pipe Masters even started. 

2000 Triple Crown Winner: Sunny Garcia

Sunny Garcia has won the most Triple Crown titles of any surfer with six titles. The only thing Sunny Garcia has yet to do is win a Billabong Pipe Masters. He remains the King of The Triple Crown. 

1999 Triple Crown Winner: Sunny Garcia

Sunny Garcia has won the most Triple Crown titles of any surfer with six titles. The only thing Sunny Garcia has yet to do is win a Billabong Pipe Masters. He remains the King of The Triple Crown. 

1998 Triple Crown Winner: Kelly Slater

The greatest surfer ever has two Triple Crowns to his name. Early in his career it was assumed that being from Florida he would be unable to compete in Hawaii. He squashed those misnomers quickly and became a dominant force on the North Shore. 

1997 Triple Crown Winner: Mike Rommelse 

Before winning the World Cup of Surfing at Sunset Beach, Australian Mike Rommelse had never won an ASP event. He went on to finish ninth at the Pipe Masters and with his fifth place finish at Haleiwa he was able to retire from competitive surfing as a Triple Crown winner. 

1996 Triple Crown Winner: Kaipo Jaquias

Kaipo Jaquias is a Hawaiian legend. After winning at Haleiwa he went on to became the first surfer from a neighbor island to win the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, setting a precedence for Kauaian Andy Irons to follow.

1995 Triple Crown Winner: Kelly Slater

The greatest surfer ever has two Triple Crowns to his name. Early in his career it was assumed that being from Florida he would be unable to compete in Hawaii. He squashed those misnomers quickly and became a dominant force on the North Shore. 

1994 Triple Crown Winner: Sunny Garcia

Sunny Garcia has won the most Triple Crown titles of any surfer with six titles. The only thing Sunny Garcia has yet to do is win a Billabong Pipe Masters. He remains the King of The Triple Crown. 

1993 Triple Crown Winner: Sunny Garcia

Sunny Garcia has won the most Triple Crown titles of any surfer with six titles. The only thing Sunny Garcia has yet to do is win a Billabong Pipe Masters. He remains the King of The Triple Crown. 

1992 Triple Crown Winner: Sunny Garcia

Sunny Garcia has won the most Triple Crown titles of any surfer with six titles. The only thing Sunny Garcia has yet to do is win a Billabong Pipe Masters. He remains the King of The Triple Crown. 

1991 Triple Crown Winner: Tom Carroll 

Tom Carroll became the second Australian to win a Triple Crown. 

1990 Triple Crown Winner: Derek Ho

Derek Ho is Hawaii's first ever ASP World Surfing Champ. He set the bar for surfing at Pipeline and he holds four Triple Crown titles. 

1989 Triple Crown Winner: Gary Elkerton

As the first Australian to win a Triple Crown, "Kong" inspired all Australians after him to the performance levels we see on the North Shore today. 

1988 Triple Crown Winner: Derek Ho

Derek Ho is Hawaii's first ever ASP World Surfing Champ. He set the bar for surfing at Pipeline and he holds four Triple Crown titles. 

1987 Triple Crown Winner: Gary Elkerton

As the first Australian to win a Triple Crown, "Kong" inspired all Australians after him to the performance levels we see on the North Shore today. 

1986 Triple Crown Winner: Derek Ho

Derek Ho is Hawaii's first ever ASP World Surfing Champ. He set the bar for surfing at Pipeline and he holds four Triple Crown titles. 

1985 Triple Crown Winner: Michael Ho

The older brother of fellow Pipeline standout Derek Ho, Michael Ho is also one of Hawaii's best. Having won the inaugural Triple Crown of Surfing, Michael will forever be tied to the Triple Crown. 

1984 Triple Crown Winner: Derek Ho

Derek Ho is Hawaii's first ever ASP World Surfing Champ. He set the bar for surfing at Pipeline and he holds four Triple Crown titles. 

1983 Triple Crown Winner: Michael Ho

The older brother of fellow Pipeline standout Derek Ho, Michael Ho is also one of Hawaii's best. Having won the inaugural Triple Crown of Surfing, Michael will forever be tied to the Triple Crown.