Hawaii surfing legend Sunny Garcia hospitalized
Surf legend Sunny Garcia is hospitalized in the intensive care unit, the World Surf League announced on social media on Monday night.
ASSOCIATED PRESS / Nov. 21, 2002
Sunny Garcia celebrates as he wins the Vans Hawaiian Pro, on November 22, 2004, in Haleiwa. Garcia was in a hospital intensive care unit Monday, according to World Surf League.
Surfer Magazine reported the 2000 world champion and six-time Triple Crown titlist was hospitalized in Oregon.
“With heavy hearts we confirm that Sunny Garcia is in the ICU in the hospital,” the WSL posted on Twitter. “Sunny has always been a great champion of surfing, both in and out of the water. Our prayers are with him and his loved ones at this deeply challenging time.”
Garcia’s condition jolted the surf community.
In an Instagram post, former world champion Derek Ho posted a picture with Garcia and wrote: “Hang in there … (it’s) not your time! Only God knows! … our prayers are with you!!!”
Stab Magazine wrote: “We’re all with you, Sunny.”
Vincent Sennen Garcia grew up in Waianae. In 2000, he claimed the Association of Surfing Professionals’ world championship, winning the first two events in Australia and clinching the title in Brazil.
Garcia, who turned 49 in January, has won six Triple Crown of Surfing titles. He also became the second pro surfer to win more than $1 million in prize money.
In 2015, Garcia was inducted into the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame.
In 2014, according to Surfer Magazine, Garcia wrote an Instagram post in which he said he was suffering from depression.
The WSL tweeted that Garcia’s family has requested privacy.
