NORTH SHORE, Oahu/Hawaii - 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.

"2009 has been an incredible year for pro surfing and this Hawaii showdown will be a fitting finale," said Doug Palladini, Vice President of Marketing at Vans. "Vans has a 43-year history of giving back to action sports and I can think of no better way to carry on that tradition than with the Triple Threat bonus purse. On behalf of all the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing staff, our event partners Billabong, Reef, O’Neill, Gidget and the ASP, we are proud to share our aloha with the talented surfers who have made the Vans Triple Crown what it is today."

The events of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing
Reef Hawaiian Pro (men) - Haleiwa Ali’i Beach Park, Nov, 12-23
Vans Hawaiian Pro (women) - Haleiwa Ali’i Beach Park, Nov, 17-23
Gidget Pro Sunset Beach (women) - Sunset Beach, Nov. 24-Dec. 6
ONeill World Cup of Surfing (men) - Sunset Beach, Nov. 24-Dec. 6
Billabong Pro Maui (women) - Honolua Bay, Maui, Dec. 8-20
Billabong Pipeline Masters (men) - Banzai Pipeline, Dec. 8-20

Featured Surfers of the 2009 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing:

Pat Gudauskas (San Clemente, CA) Nate Yeomans (San Clemente, CA) Daniel Ross (Australia) Jadson Andre (Brazil) Adam Meilling (Australia) Brett Simpson (Huntington Beach, CA) Travis Logie (South Africa) and of course ASP World Title contenders Joel Parkinson and Mick Fanning (Australia), and women Stephanie Gilmore (Australia), Sofia Mulanovich (Peru), Silvana Lima (Brazil), and Coco Ho (Hawaii).