Hawaii, a state made up entirely of volcanic islands, is one of the biggest tropical tourist attractions around the globe. Hawaii is made up of six smaller islands; Hawaii being the biggest and Lanai being the smallest. I had the opportunity to travel to the island of Oahu, the third biggest island. The island was filled with mystery with it's vast mountain ranges and seas. Yet, the most magical part of the trip was the the second competition of the biggest surf contests, Vans Triple Crown, that was taking place in Sunset Beach.
Oahu is also called “the gathering place” because of its diverse population and the tourism (http://www.gohawaii.com/statewide/choose-an-island). Around the globe people gather to marvel at the beauty this island has to offer. The island itself is only 596.7 square miles making it the 20th largest island in the United States. Oahu has much to offer on its shores. Its crystal clear sea makes for great water activities such as scuba diving, underwater fishing, surfing, and of course swimming with dolphins. Inland is no different; with Honolulu, the states capital, in the center of the island, there is much to do (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oahu).
During my travel out to Oahu, I stayed at a hostel for the first time. I can understand why the island is called a “gathering place,” because the people that I met during my stay were from all around the globe. It was amazing how one such place of serene and beauty can integrate a mass of diversity into something wonderful. I got the chance to walk around Waikiki, one of the islands most beautiful and richest cities. Magnificent palm trees towered higher than some building located in the city and the ocean was right at the front door of my hostel stay (yes hostel, hotels are very expensive in Wiakiki, but hostels are much fun and you meet people of different cultures and ethnicities, as well as people with unique stories).
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| The Big Kahuna: This statue is located in the heart of Waikiki. It is a memorbilia of one of the greatest Hawaiian surfers who lived. Many surfers, as well as tourist, place leis on surf monuments for good luck and safety. |
One of the biggest attractions, besides the islands beauty, is the Vans Triple Crown competition, Vans World Cup of Surfing. The Triple Crown was established in 1983 by a champion surfer, Fred Hemmings. The competition is set at three distinct breaks on the Hawaiian North Shore - Haleiwa, Sunset, and Pipeline. The first of these competitions is the Reefs Hawaiian Pro held at Haleiwa. The second is the Vans Cup of Surfing, and the last is the Billabong Pipe Masters. The Vans Triple Crown is held in mid Novemeber and continues through mid Decemeber. The reason the competition is held in the winter season, the North Shore of Hawaii have the most powerful and challenging swells (http://www.triplecrownofsurfing.com/).
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| With one of the surf competitors and friend QuiQui. He turned pro at the age of 16 in Brazil. His entire shares in his passion as well. |
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| Off the shore of Kailua |
The contest was held at Sunset Beach, almost on the other side of the island from where I was staying. The first couple of days of the contest, the ocean was too calm, and the competition had to be postponed. In order to have a surf competition, there is a wave height requirements. The waves not only must be higher than 10 feet (that is the minimum), but also requires power, commitment, style and a skill set to match the nuances at each reef (http://www.triplecrownofsurfing.com/).
After a few sour days of waiting for waves, the competition was back on. Not only is the mountainous view of the island breathtaking, but watching the crystal blue waters crash amongst the rocks and shore is sheer wonder. The surfers truly lived up to their titles, all exhibiting their own style and passion; I can see why they became pros. Many surfers are "born with a passion burning within their soul for the ocean," as one of the surfers described. "You are not only riding the wave, but also respecting its power."
After a few sour days of waiting for waves, the competition was back on. Not only is the mountainous view of the island breathtaking, but watching the crystal blue waters crash amongst the rocks and shore is sheer wonder. The surfers truly lived up to their titles, all exhibiting their own style and passion; I can see why they became pros. Many surfers are "born with a passion burning within their soul for the ocean," as one of the surfers described. "You are not only riding the wave, but also respecting its power."
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| Known as "the gathering place," Oahu is home to many cultures and diveristies. Here are some of the natives sharing their culture with the tourists that visit. |
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| Joel Parkinson, an Australian born surfer, takes the Vans Triple Crown of 2010. The 2010 ceremony was held for Andy Irons, a surfer that passed away earlier in the year. |
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