The Triple Crown of Surfing is one of the most prestigious of all surfing competitions, taking place on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. The best Hawaiian local surfers take on professional surfers from around the globe in arguably the best waves on the planet. The event dates back to 1983 and famously features art in each year’s event poster, artwork, and merchandise.
The Triple Crown spans 3 surfing events over a 2 month period (November and December). The three events are The Hawaiian Pro (at Haleiwa), the World Cup of Surfing (at Sunset Beach), and the Pipeline Masters.
Between 2002 and 2010, there were separate event posters for the men’s and women’s surfing events, using two different artists. Since 2013, they changed to only one poster and artist. The sponsors and names of the events have changed over the years too. Most of all, it’s interesting to see the graphic (design) and visual style progression over time.
Showcased below are all the Triple Crown of Surfing posters since 1983 (or the ones we could find). Enjoy.
2023: Solomon Enos
Poster pending.
2022: Jack Soren
“For a local boy growing up on the North Shore, being a pro surfer was always something I wanted to be. Only a few of us were talented enough to achieve that. I wasn’t one of them… But, I knew I could be apart of it all through my art. Creating artwork for this contest is like winning the contest for me!”
2022 Tripe Crown artist, Jack Soren
2021: Luke Taaffe
2020: Kate Wadsworth
“The Triple Crown of Surfing poster was at the top of my bucket list. For them to reach out and ask me to create the poster was a dream come true.”
2020 Triple Crown artist, Kate Wadsworth
2019: Geoff McFetridge
“This year [2019] we worked with Geoff McFetridge to create the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing poster artwork because his particular brand of expression is as much emotion as it is art. Featuring imagery that is progressive and unpredictable, playing with delicately drawn lines and striking colours.”
Vans
2018: Wade Koniakowsky
2017: Heather Brown
“I was stoked beyond belief to create the art for the 2008 Women’s Triple Crown earlier in my career, so this just stopped me and my tracks to get asked again to do the Men’s event this year! Mahalo Nui Loa, Vans for asking me! I am truly honored and humbled!”
2017 Triple Crown artist, Heather Brown
2016: Patrick Parker
“Holy shit, I think to myself when I see my poster all over the North Shore. It’s the same feeling as pulling into the deepest barrel of your life, much like the wave on the poster, and coming out with the spit.”
2016 Triple Crown artist, Patrick Parker
2015: Rick Rietveld
2014: Gregg Kaplan
2013: Christie Shinn
2012: Artists unknown
2011: Troy Carney
And below is the original art by Troy Carney featured in the 2011 Triple Crown of Surfing poster:
2010: Chris Lundy and Colleen Wilcox
2009: Steven Power and Kat Reeder
2008: Kelsey Brookes and Heather Brown
2007: Blaine Fontana
2006: David Lloyd and Ea Eckerman
2005: Wolfgang Bloch
2004: Ichiro
2003: Steven Power
2002: Artist unknown and Colleen Gnos (poster not found)
2001: Brenda Cablayan
2000: Marco Almera
1999: Steven Power
1998: Rick Rietveld
1997: Steven Power
1996: Artist unknown
1995: John Severson
1994: Bill Ogden
1993: Artist unknown
1992: Ken Auster
1991: Robert Wyland
1990: Christian Riese Lassen
1989: Ron Croci
1988: Chris Lundy
1987: Don King (photo)
1986 and 1885: Ken Auster
1984 and 1983: Artists unknown
Let us know what years were your favourites! @clubofthewaves
Curated by Andrew Couldwell on May 25, 2019 (updated Jan 2024)
