Surfers have long said that winning a Triple Crown of Surfing championship is priceless.

But $1 million in prize money can't hurt.

Thanks to $175,000 in victory bonuses added yesterday, the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing will award a total purse of $1 million this year.

The prize money will be spread over six contests — three for men and three for women.

"I think it's a tribute to the surfers that the sponsors are willing to put up this kind of money," Triple Crown executive director Randy Rarick said. "I'd love to give out more, but for surfing, this is good money for sure."

This year's Triple Crown is scheduled to start Thursday and run through Dec. 20 in the famous waves off O'ahu's North Shore.

The men's Triple Crown will feature events at Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach, Sunset Beach and the Banzai Pipeline. The women's Triple Crown will feature events at Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach, Sunset Beach and Honolua Bay, Maui.

The six contests will award a total of $875,000 in prize money.

The Vans shoe company raised the total purse to $1 million yesterday by adding four bonuses: $50,000 to the men's Triple Crown champion, $25,000 to the women's Triple Crown champion, $50,000 to the ASP men's world champion (which will be determined during the Triple Crown), and $50,000 to the winner of the Billabong Pipeline Masters (the final event of the men's Triple Crown series).

The Triple Crown championship is awarded to the best overall performer in the series.

The Triple Crown is also the last stop on the 2009 ASP World Tour, and both the men's and women's world championships will be decided.

The Triple Crown is the first surfing series to award $1 million in prize money.

"It really is amazing, considering we don't have a gate for paid attendance to help bring in money," Rarick said. "It's one of the better shows on earth and people get to watch for free. That's why it's nice to see the surfers get rewarded like this."

More than 150 of the best surfers from around the world will compete in the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.

Among the notable men competing are former world champions Andy Irons of Kaua'i, Sunny Garcia of Wai'anae and Kelly Slater of Florida, and 2009 world title contenders Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson, who are both from Australia.

Among the notable women competing are two-time defending world champion Stephanie Gilmore of Australia, and Hawai'i standouts Megan Abubo, Melanie Bartels, Coco Ho and Carissa Moore.

For daily updates, visit www.triplecrownofsurfing.com.