Author(s): Smith Chas

SPORT

Each winter, the North Shore of Hawaii is invaded by surfers, photographers, groupies, and drug dealers from around the world. Tension between the locals and the visitors is thick and often violent. Ostensibly, the draw card is the seven-mile stretch of beach with fifty-foot waves and the chance to win surfing's coveted Triple Crown title. But behind the scenes lurks a dark and seedy world of gangs, hedonism, extortion, murder and drugs as celebrity surfers and extraordinary athletes dance on waves. Respected journalist and surfer Chas Smith investigates one hugely anticipated season. With unprecedented access to all the colourful personalities and players, Chas reveals the singular culture, feuds and athleticism that make Oahu surfing's mecca. This seven billion-dollar industry's battle for the 2012 Triple Crown will be the most explosive yet.