The opening day of the Billabong Pipeline Masters is on today at the Banzai Pipeline off Ehukai Beach.

Wave-face heights are in the 10- to 18-foot range.

Surfers expected to compete today include Andy Irons, Bruce Irons, Sunny Garcia, Shane Dorian, Jamie O'Brien and Dusty Payne.

The Pipeline Masters is the final event of both the 2009 ASP World Tour and the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Both titles will be decided at the Pipeline Masters.

Australians Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson are in contention for the world title, but neither is expected to surf today. As the top seeds, they have byes into the third round.

Parkinson and Sunny Garcia are the leading contenders in the Triple Crown race.

For updated information and a live Web cast visit www.triplecrownofsurfing.com. The meet is also live on Oceanic digital channel 250 (HD channel 1250).