7. Vans Triple Crown of Surfing

The Buzz -- Waves on Oahu's North Shore are legendary for their strength and potential danger – especially during winter months – so it's no surprise that surfers use them as a gauge of their own abilities and athletic prowess. For men, the Triple Crown is composed of the Reef Hawaii Pro (at Haleiwa's Ali'i Beach Park), the O'Neill World Cup of Surfing (at Sunset Beach), and the Billabong Pipeline Masters (at the Banzai Pipeline). Female competitors have a similar sequence of events, but they hold the final competition at Honolua Bay, Maui. No matter which contest you catch, you're certain to find spectators packing the beaches, marveling at showmanship and cheering on their favorite pro surfers. Typically, the Triple Crown takes place in late November or early December, depending on ocean conditions.