HALEIWA, Hawaii -- HALEIWA, Hawaii--It's the biggest event of the year, and it has been drawing world-class athletes from around the world for more than two decades. It attracts more spectators than high school football, college volleyball, or any other sport on Oahu, and it's televised to more viewers worldwide than the National Football League's Pro Bowl. Winter in Oahu brings thundering three-story-tall waves to the island, and with them comes the Triple Crown of Surfing, where the world's finest waveriders duke it out for big cash prizes and the world titles.In its 20th year, the competition has moved around in the schedule of the world tour lineup, but remains the premiere set of events to prove a surfer's worthiness in the heavy North Shore surf. To celebrate the anniversary, promoters are paying out record amounts of prize money - more than $750,000 in all - and throwing parties all over the island.The Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa is the first event of the series, and it's the final qualifying event in the Association of Surfing Professionals international tour. More than 130 surfers signed up; however, the field was whittled down to 96, then to 32, then 16 and so on until one rider was named the winner.The Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa-Allii Beach wrapped up Nov. 24, and the second event, the Rip Curl Cup at Sunset Beach, kicks off on Dec. 1.The shallow reef and strong currents at Haleiwa make getting a good clean ride difficult, and the competitors had to take risks just to even begin their rides. For spectators, Sunset Beach promises even more excitement as the pros paddle out into what may be some of the biggest surf in the world. Rules for the Rip Curl Cup limit the number of entrants to 45 plus two wildcards, and in addition to being the second event in the Triple Crown series, it's the second to the last in the World Championship Tour. The final event in the series, and the last WCT event, the Pipeline Masters starts Dec. 8 and runs to Dec. 20. Pipeline Banzai has been host to this event for 32 years, and it's the longest-running professional surf competition in the world. Women's events, including the Billabong Pro on Maui, the Roxy Pro at Haleiwa, and the Turtle Bay Resort Women's Pro, have far fewer competitors but promise just as much excitement.Since the competitions are scheduled for time frames instead of specific dates, it's a good idea to check the Triple Crown of Surfing Web site at www.triplecrownofsurfing.com, to find out when the contests are underway. Depending on the condition of the surf, the competitions could last a few days, or up to three weeks.Parties, concerts, primetime television show tapings and several broadcast network sports shows are drawing attention to the northern parts of the island, and there are events happening nearly everyday over the next six weeks.