In an era of surfing marked by new and exotic destinations, and a search for bigger and better waves, the North Shore of O'ahu endures.

"No matter what happens the rest of the year, the Triple Crown is still considered the proving grounds," said Randy Rarick, executive director of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. "It's been said so many times by so many surfers that the Triple Crown is up there with a world title, and that hasn't changed."

This year's Triple Crown series — the 26th annual — is scheduled to begin today at Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach.

Pancho Sullivan of Sunset Beach skipped a big contest in Brazil last month so he could start training for the Triple Crown. He ended up winning the Xcel Pro at Sunset Beach last week to establish himself as a contender for this year's Triple Crown title.

"The Triple Crown is so challenging because the waves here are unlike anywhere else in the world," Sullivan said. "For me, growing up here, I've always felt like the Triple Crown was as prestigious as the world title."

The Reef Hawaiian Pro is the first jewel in the Triple Crown, and 160 men and 44 women are entered in the contest.

"It's actually the biggest field we've had," Rarick said. "And that's still turning away a lot of really good surfers."

As always, the Triple Crown will feature three separate contests at three of the world's most challenging waves — Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach, Sunset Beach, and the Banzai Pipeline.

The 2008 men's world championship has already been decided. Kelly Slater of Florida clinched his record ninth world title last month.

Slater is scheduled to enter just one Triple Crown event this year, the Billabong Pipeline Masters in December.

That leaves the Triple Crown title up for grabs.

Bede Durbidge of Australia could be considered the top contender. He won the Triple Crown series last year, and is currently ranked No. 2 in the world behind only Slater.

Of course, the Hawai'i surfers would like to prove their home-wave advantage, especially if the big waves arrive on O'ahu's North Shore.

"I think there's always an advantage for the guys who grew up surfing these waves," Sullivan said. "But there are so many good surfers from all over the world now, it really is tough."

Wai'anae's Sunny Garcia, who owns a record six Triple Crown championships, is in the field. Kaua'i's Andy Irons, who has four Triple Crown titles, is not expected to enter all three contests.

In any case, surf dreams — like surfboards — are made and broken on the North Shore every year.

This year, several surfers are trying to qualify, or requalify, for the elite World Championship Tour.

Fred Patacchia Jr. of Hale'iwa and Roy Powers of Kaua'i will be looking to requalify for the 2009 WCT with a strong Triple Crown. Also, Dustin Barca of Kaua'i and Kekoa Bacalso of Mililani are trying to qualify for the WCT for the first time.

The women's Triple Crown will also have its share of drama, as the 2008 world championship will be decided.

Stephanie Gilmore of Australia, Sofia Mulanovich of Peru, and Layne Beachley of Australia are all in the race for the world title, and all have won it before. Gilmore is the defending world champ; Mulanovich won it in 2004; Beachley won the last of her record seven women's world titles in 2006.

Megan Abubo of Waialua is the defending women's Triple Crown champion, and needs a strong showing this year to requalify for the 2009 women's WCT.