Sport fans know there’s nothing like watching their favorite game on a perfect, sunny day. And what better place is there to soak in a match than under the beautiful, cloudless skies of Oahu? Besides being a premier island for hitting the beach, exploring pristine nature and engaging in plenty of local cultural activities, Oahu is also known as quite the mecca for a wide variety of sporting events. From seeing the best football players on the planet compete against one another to attending the most grueling triathlon on the planet, there’s certainly something for just about any type of sports fan out there. Once you’ve gotten all settled into your Oahu vacation rental, check out a few of the biggest sporting events you can take part in during your island travels:
Pro Bowl
When it comes to showcasing the National Football League’s best and brightest players, no game features more talent on the field than the annual Pro Bowl. Since 1970, the Pro Bowl has been a yearly tradition that takes place in Honolulu to celebrate the players who have continuously performed at unparalleled levels in terms of statistics as well as grit. While the game was held for the first time in California last year, the Pro Bowl is all set to return to its rightful home in Honolulu next January. Pro Bowl teams feature the highest voted players from both the American Football Conference and the National Football Conference. This is the only chance where you can see dozens of fan favorites competing for the ultimate bragging rights of who is truly top dog in the NFL.
“Jack Nicklaus, Jim Furyk and Vijay Singh have all won at the Sony Open in Hawaii.”
Sony Open in Hawaii
There are plenty of beautiful golf courses on Oahu to take advantage of during your vacation here, but once a year, the island is the place to be for golf enthusiasts eager to watch the pros show how it’s done. The Sony Open in Hawaii begins every mid-January, and is where fans can gather to spend one gorgeous day after another tracking a variety of their favorite golfers. The tournament takes place at Waialae Country Club, and next year will decide whether previous champion Jimmy Walker will be able to win the top prize for a record third year in a row. Previous champions have included legends such as Jack Nicklaus, Jim Furyk, Vijay Singh and Ernie Els. The Sony Open in Hawaii simply can’t be missed for anyone who considers themselves an avid fan of the sport.
Honolulu Triathlon
When we think of professional athletes, our minds tend to drift to the millionaire superstars who relish in the endorsement opportunities and jersey sales. However, those interested in finding out what it truly means to be an athlete should make their way over to the annual Honolulu Triathlon. Every mid-May at Ala Moana Beach Park, thousands gather to observe one of the most grueling forms of competition on the planet. The Honolulu Triathlon follows the Olympic format of a triathlon, which features 1.5 kilometers of swimming, 40 kilometers of cycling and a 10-kilometer run. In addition to the actual race, there are a few days of festivities prior to the big event, where local food vendors will be on full display and entertainment can be experienced all around the streets. If you think you’re up for a challenge, you can sign up for the intermediate or beginner triathlon races, which certainly aren’t as grueling as the main event, but will still put your athletic ability to the test.
Come see the greatest surfers in the world compete at the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Vans Triple Crown of Surfing
Even if you’ve never dreamed of getting up on a surfboard, you have to admit how impressive it is to ride those long boards within the groove of a descending wave. However, if you’re truly looking to have your mind blown, attending any one of the events associated with the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing will definitely open your eyes to how truly amazing these athletes are. This pinnacle of surfing championships takes place from mid-November to late-December, and is spread out across three of Oahu’s most famous beaches. There are three different events that make up the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, which include the Reef Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa Ali’i Beach Park, the O’Neill World Cup of Surfing at Sunset Beach and the Billabong Pipeline Masters at the world-famous Banzai Pipeline. Both men and women compete for top prizes and trophies at each tournament, and there are always accompanying activities and vendors for fans to partake in. For awe-inspiring moves from the world’s greatest surfers, experiencing all the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing events is the best way to be properly introduced to the sheer awesomeness of the sport.