World champ or triple crown?

Question

Which title is more important? I mean the people who win the triple crown say it's better but come on, to be world champ... that is what Kelly Slater is known for.

Answer 1

World champion indicates your ability to be consistent for the entire year.  I'd say the Triple Crown would be the next.  Andy Irons is off to a good start in claiming that title.  In the past 23 years or so, the Triple Crown title has been won by 10 different surfers.  To make a name for yourself and to setup a run for the following year's World Title, winning the Triple Crown says a lot.  That is unless you already have made a name for yourself on the tour.

Answer 2

i think that the winning the tour is bigger than the triple crown bc the triple crown is obviously biased towards people who are the best north shore surfers.  they have home-field advantage, and pretty much always win it.  the wourld tour is a level playing field.  also, since the crown is just three spots, and three contests, it won't necisarily show who truly is the best surfer.  in any particular contest, top surfers could just not get a good wave, and mediocre surfers could really just have good days.  for an example, look at the last Mav's contest when Mel and Flea lost their first heats and Twiggy, a virtual unknown took the win.  Whereas the tour takes a full year of victories and strong finishes.