Inaugurated in 1983 as a contest-within-a-contest, the competition takes place during the three men's events in the Series. The winner is determined by points accumulated through placement in the men's OP Pro Surfing Championship,
Zeal Optics presents the Rip Curl World Cup of Surfing, and the
Chiemsee Gerry Lopez Pipe Masters.

Over the years since this championship was inaugurated only an elite few have won the title.

Hawaii's Michael Ho was the first to win.. The only four-time winner of the Triple Crown title is Michael's brother Derek Ho. Australian's Tom Carroll and Gary Elkerton have each won the title. Sunny Garcia, from Hawai`i, is the only competitor to win back-to-back championships, taking the title in 1992, 1993 and 1994. Kelly Slater, from Florida, had a remarkable three way win in 1995 winning the Triple Crown Championship, the Chiemsee Gerry Lopez Pipe Masters and the Coca-Cola/ASP World Championship.

The 1996 champion was Kaipo Jaquias, who won the trophy, the title and the winner's share of the $15,000 purse, which was divided between the Association of Surfing Professionals and the top three finishers of the Triple Crown Championship race.

The first women's Triple Crown Championship title presented by Kahlua will be inaugurated in 1997. This year a winner-take-all $7,500 prize will be presented to both the men's and women's winners.