The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing got under way in triple-extra large waves yesterday.

The OP Pro Hawai'i men's contest completed the entire first round and four heats of the second round. Traditional wave measurements were estimated from 6 to 15 feet (with some wave faces around 25 feet) throughout the day at Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach.

The OP Pro Hawai'i is the first of three contests in the prestigious Triple Crown series on O'ahu's North Shore.

"There's nothing like surfing at home," North Shore surfer Makua Rothman said. "We'll take our chances in this stuff any day over 1- to 2-foot waves. Some people were scared to even do a turn out there, so the local boys really have to use it to our advantage."

Rothman was one of several Hawai'i standouts. His two-wave score of 16.83 in the first round was the best total of the day.

"I got real lucky; I found two good waves, even though our heat went flat for about 15 minutes," said Rothman, 21. "I try to work for a good barrel in every heat, and I got one."

Another Hawai'i standout was Kaua'i's Kaipo Jaquias, who won two heats. In his second-round victory, Jaquias scored a near-perfect 9.5 for a barrel ride.

"A lot of it is experience and being comfortable with this wave," said Jaquias, 33. "Normally when it's big like this, the wave barrels differently. I knew it would be there, but I had to exit on a high point. Luckily I made it out and got a good score."

Jaquias won the overall Triple Crown title in 1996, and won the Hale'iwa contest in '96 and '98.

"Just being in the winner's circle before keeps you confident and focused," he said. "Especially at Hale'iwa. This is not an easy place to win."

It was also an emotional return to Hale'iwa for Jaquias. He did not compete in the Triple Crown last year because he was moving with his family from O'ahu to Kaua'i. Also last year, he helped spread his late father-in-law's ashes at Hale'iwa.

"I just feel fortunate to be back here," Jaquias said. "I've competed with a lot of the older guys, and now I get to compete with the younger guys. It's still fun for me."

Former amateur world champion Joel Centeio of Kapolei advanced to the second round. After competing all year in small waves on pro surfing's World Qualifying Series, he said yesterday's conditions were a welcomed change.

"It's not the best Hale'iwa, but it's still way better than anything we see on the (WQS)," he said. "Most of the places we go, it's 1-foot waves, so it felt good to surf in some real waves for a change."

In addition to counting in the Triple Crown standings, the OP Pro Hawai'i counts on the World Qualifying Series. The top surfers from the WQS earn spots on the more prestigious World Championship Tour next year.

Other standouts from Hawai'i yesterday included Sean Moody, Jamie O'Brien, Hank Gaskell, Ola Eleogram, Myles Padaca, Dustin Barca, Mikala Jones, Nathan Carroll and Kamalei Alexander.

Jon Jon Florence, an eighth-grader from Sunset Beach, advanced through the first round but was eliminated in the second round. At 13, he was the youngest surfer to ever enter a Triple Crown contest.

"I was scared," he said. "That's probably the biggest Hale'iwa I've ever surfed ... I'm stoked though. I'm happy with how I did."

The women's Roxy Pro did not run yesterday.

Either contest could run today if the conditions hold. For status of the events, call 596-7873 or visit triplecrownofsurfing.com.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.